Lamiaceae

English: Mint family
Dutch: Lipbloemenfamilie

The Lamiaceae is a family of aromatic herbs and shrubs comprising about 236 genera and 7,200 species. They are distributed worldwide and include many important culinary herbs (mint, basil, sage, thyme), ornamental plants, and some medicinal species.

Key Identifying Features

• Stems: Square (quadrangular) in cross-section
• Leaves: Opposite, often aromatic when crushed
• Flowers: Bilaterally symmetrical (zygomorphic), often two-lipped, in whorls
• Fruits: Four nutlets (schizocarp splitting into four parts)

Parent: Plantae