Herbs annual or biennial; from taproot. Stems erect or ascending [prostrate]. Flowers: buds erect; floral tube straight, 5–130 mm; petals obcordate to obovate. Capsules straight, cylindrical or ovoid, narrowed at both ends or somewhat enlarged toward apex. Seeds numerous, in 2 rows per locule, pale to dark brown, ellipsoid to subglobose, surface reticulate and regularly pitted. 2n = 14.

Species 36 (1 in the flora): introduced, California; South America.

Subsection Munzia is subdivided into three series (W. Dietrich 1977), only one of which occurs in the United States as a naturalized plant.