Scrophulariaceae
Scrophulariaceae Juss. following extensive molecular phylogenetic studies, the family has been recircumscribed and now comprises approximately 60–65 genera and 1,900–2,000 species. Many genera formerly included in Scrophulariaceae have been transferred to Plantaginaceae, Orobanchaceae, Phrymaceae, Linderniaceae, Mazaceae, and Paulowniaceae. The modern family is characterized by herbs, shrubs, or small trees with opposite or alternate leaves, bilabiate flowers, didynamous stamens (commonly four), superior ovaries, and capsular fruits.
Key characteristics
- Herbs, shrubs, or small trees
- Leaves simple, exstipulate
- Flowers strongly zygomorphic
- Corolla bilabiate
- Stamens usually four, didynamous
- Ovary superior
- Fruit a capsule
- Seeds numerous
Distribution
Scrophulariaceae has a nearly cosmopolitan distribution, with greatest diversity in Southern Africa, Mediterranean Basin, Temperate Europe, Central Asia, Western North America, South America. Typical habitats include Grasslands, Rocky slopes, Alpine meadows, Temperate forests, Dry scrublands, Riverbanks, Disturbed habitats. The family occurs mainly in the northern and western regions of Pakistan. It is distributed in Himalaya, Karakoram, Hindu Kush. Habitats include Alpine meadows, Temperate forests, Rocky hills, Moist slopes, Grasslands, Stream margins. Representative Pakistani genera include Verbascum, Scrophularia, Buddleja, Capraria, Limosella.