Verbenaceae
Family of flowering plants comprising vervains / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Verbenaceae (/ˌvɜːrbəˈneɪsi.iː/ VUR-bə-NAY-see-ee), the verbena family or vervain family, is a family of mainly tropical flowering plants. It contains trees, shrubs, and herbs notable for heads, spikes, or clusters of small flowers, many of which have an aromatic smell.[2]
Quick Facts Scientific classification, Synonyms ...
Verbenaceae | |
---|---|
Flowers, fruit and leaves (on the right) of a Lantana cultivar | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Verbenaceae J.St.-Hil. |
Synonyms[1] | |
|
Close
The family Verbenaceae includes 32 genera and 800 species.[3] Phylogenetic studies[4] have shown that numerous genera traditionally classified in Verbenaceae belong instead in Lamiaceae. The mangrove genus Avicennia, sometimes placed in the Verbenaceae[5] or in its own family, Avicenniaceae,[6] has been placed in the Acanthaceae.[7]
Economically important Verbenaceae include:
- Lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla), grown for aroma or flavoring
- Verbenas or vervains (Verbena), some used in herbalism, others grown in gardens