The Lamiaceae

The Lamiaceae contains many fragrant plants (mints, sages, and many of our other culinary herbs). Its corolla of 5 fused petals is bilaterally symmetrical, generally forming two lips. This family has been called the Labiatae in the past, in reference to those two lips (labia).

There are other families with bilaterally symmetrical corollas of 5 fused petals, but plants of the Lamiaceae have...

  • Deeply-lobed ovaries that become nutlets in fruit
  • Opposite leaves and (often) stems that are square in cross-section.

(Caution: although members of the Lamiaceae always have opposite leaves, other similar families may also have opposite leaves.)

Lamium image (for questions above)
Image of Lamium, to use for answering questions above. [Painting by Sturm, 1796]

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