Lamiaceae
Lamiaceae Martinov (formerly Labiatae) is an accepted family that comprises approximately 240–250 genera and 7,200–7,500 species, making it one of the largest families of flowering plants. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have expanded the circumscription of Lamiaceae by incorporating several genera formerly placed in Verbenaceae. Members are characterized by aromatic foliage, quadrangular stems, opposite leaves, bilabiate flowers, and a deeply four-lobed ovary that develops into four nutlets.
Key characteristics
- Aromatic herbs or shrubs
- Stems quadrangular
- Leaves opposite, exstipulate, glandular
- Inflorescences commonly verticillasters
- Flowers bilabiate and zygomorphic
- Stamens usually four (didynamous)
- Superior deeply four-lobed ovary
- Fruit of four nutlets
Distribution
Lamiaceae has a nearly cosmopolitan distribution, occurring on every continent except Antarctica. The family is particularly diverse in the Mediterranean Basin, Southwest Asia, Central Asia, East Africa, Mexico, and tropical South America. Members occupy grasslands, forests, scrublands, deserts, alpine meadows, rocky slopes, wetlands, and disturbed habitats. The family is widely distributed throughout the Himalayas, Karakoram, Hindu Kush, Potohar Plateau, Salt Range, Upper and Plains, western dry mountains, Plateau, Lower Indus Plain, and the deserts of Cholistan and Thar. Species occur in alpine meadows, temperate forests, scrublands, agricultural fields, wastelands, riverbanks, and urban gardens. Genera such as Mentha, Salvia, Nepeta, Thymus, Ocimum, Lavandula, Ajuga, and Leucas are particularly well represented.