Lamiaceae

Lamiaceae is a family of flowering plants, commonly known as the mint or deadnettle family. The family is large, with nearly 236 genera and more than 7,000 species. Lamiaceae is distributed nearly worldwide, and many species are cultivated for their aromatic leaves and attractive flowers. The family name is derived from the genus Lamium.

Description

Members of the Lamiaceae family are frequently aromatic in all parts and include many widely used culinary herbs, such as basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, hyssop, thyme, lavender, and perilla. Some are shrubs, trees (such as teak), or, rarely, vines. Many members of the family are widely cultivated, not only for their aromatic qualities but also their ease of cultivation, since they are readily propagated by stem cuttings. Besides those grown for their edible leaves, some are grown for decorative foliage, such as Coleus. Others are grown for seed, such as chia.

Taxonomy

The family Lamiaceae was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. The name of the family comes from the type genus, Lamium, the name of which is derived from the Greek "laimos", meaning "throat", in reference to the shape of the corolla tube in some species.

Distribution and habitat

Lamiaceae species are found all over the world. They are most common in the Mediterranean region, but they are also found in many other parts of the world, including North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. They are found in a variety of habitats, from coastal areas to mountainous regions.

Uses

Many species are cultivated for their aromatic leaves, which are used in cooking, perfumery, and traditional medicine. Some species are also cultivated for their attractive flowers.

See also

• List of Lamiaceae genera

External links

• Lamiaceae in L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants: descriptions, illustrations, identification, information retrieval. Version: 9 March 2006. http://delta-intkey.com
• Lamiaceae in the Flora of North America
• Lamiaceae in the Flora of China
• Lamiaceae at the USDA PLANTS Database
• International Plant Names Index (IPNI)

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  Lamium purpureum