An order of flowering plants, division Magnoliophyta in the subclass Asteridae of the class Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons). It consists of 7 families and about 2500 species. The order is distinguished in this subclass by its chiefly herbaceous habit, alternate leaves, inferior ovary, and stamens which are free from the corolla or attached at the base of the tube. About 2000 of the species belong to the single family Campanulaceae. This family and two others in the order have a specialized pollen presentation mechanism. The anthers converge or unite around the young style, which grows up through the anther tube and pushes out the pollen. Several familiar ornamentals, including the Canterbury bell (Campanula medium) and the cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), belong to the Campanulaceae.