This section is from the book "Handbook Of Hardy Trees, Shrubs, And Herbaceous Plants", by W. Botting Hemsley. Also available from Amazon: Handbook of hardy trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.
A small order of dwarf often trailing and succulent herbs, rarely shrubs, with brightly coloured flowers. They are distinguished from the neighbouring orders by having fewer sepals (usually only 2) than petals, and usually numerous stamens. Montia fontana, an inconspicuous weed, is the only indigenous representative.
 
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