LAMIACEAE

 

Predominantly herbs, usually with aromaic oils. The family can be distinguished by  quadrangular  stems and opposite branches. Leaves opposite or whorled, serrate, aromatic. Flowers irregular, solitary or in distinct whorls. Calyx tubular, 4-5 toothed, persistent. Petals united, 4-5 lobed. Corolla strongly 2 lipped. Upper lip narrow, shortly 2 lobed. Lower lip reflexed or boat shaped, broadly 3 lobed, Stamens 4, didynamous, adnate to the corolla tube., pistil 1, ovary superior, 4 lobed, carpels 2, locules 2 , the placentation basal and derived from axile type the ovules 4, anatropous, erect, style 1, stigma minute at branch tips; fruit composed of typically 4 nutlets, enclosed within a persistent calyx; seed with scant fleshy endosperm.