Labiatae and Verbenaceae- Introduction

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Labiatae or Lamiaceae
(Mint family)


Plants of this family are usually perennial or annual terrestrial herbs with square stems, sometimes shrubs (Orthosiphon) rarely trees (Hyptis, Leucosceptrium), or vines (Scutellaria); plant parts usually covered with glandular hair; usually with aromatic oils.
                                 A family of about 200 genera and 3,500 species, Labiatae are cosmopolitan in their distribution and their chief centre is the Mediterranean region. About 65 genera and over 400 species have been reported from India, mainly distributed in north western India and south India. 
Some largely represented genera world over are: 
    • Salvia (sage), 
    • Hyptis, 
    • Thymus (thyme), 
    • Teucrium (germander), 
    • Stachys, 
    • Scutellaria (skullcap), 
    • Coleus (Jacob's coat), 
    • Ocimum (basil), 
    • Nepeta (catnip), 
    • Lavendula (Lavender), 
    • Mentha (mint) and 
    • Rosemarinus (rosemary). 
Selected Indian genera are: 
    • Coleus, 
    • Lamium, 
    • Lavandula, 
    • Leucas, 
    • Mentha, 
    • Ocimum and 
    • Salvia.

Economic Importance

Garden ornamentals:
    • Coleus blumei
    • C. thyrsoideus
    • Lavandula officinalis
    • Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil)
    • Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary)
    • Salvia coccinea
    • S. officinalis (garden sage)
    • S, splendens (scarlet sage)
    • Thymus vulgaris (thyme)
Volatile Oils:
    • Basil oil, obtained from Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil), O. canum (Ram tulsi) and O sanctum (holy basil or tulsi), is used in variety of medicine and perfumery.
    • Lavender oil (Lavandula latifolia, L. spica, L.vera) is used in perfumery and cosmetics.
    • Mint oil (Mentha arvensis, M. longifolia, M. spicata) is used in nausea and vomiting.
    • Origanum oil (Origanum vulgare) is used in cosmetics and soap industry.
    • Patchouli oil (Pogostemon benghalense, P. cablin) is used in perfumery.
    • Pennyroyal oil (Mentha pulegium) is used in preparing synthetic menthol.
    • Peppermint oil (Mentha piperata) is used pharmacy and confectionery.
    • Perilla oil (Perilla frutescens) is used in paints, varnishes and printing ink.
    • Rosemary oil (Rosmarinus officinalis) is used in medicines and perfumery.
    • Sage oil (Salvia splendens) is used in soap industry.
    • Sweet Majorcan oil (Majorana hortensis) is used in perfumery and liquor industry.
Medicinal plants:



    • Ocimum sanctum (tulsi) leaves are used for cough, cold and fever.
    • Mentha spicata (mint) leaves are used for preparing 'chutney', help in indigestion and rheumatism.
    • Thymus vulgaris are effective against hookworms.
    • Mentha longifolia leaves are used in rheumatic pain and some heart diseases.
Camphor is obtained from the oil of Ocimum kilimandscharicum.

Root tubers of some species of Coleus and Ocimum are edible.









Verbenaceae
(Verbena family)

Lantana


Plants of this family are herbs, shrubs (Lantana) or trees (Tectona); often lianas (Clerodendrum, Vitex), sometimes of xerophytic nature (several species of Verbena); a few are mangrove shrubs (Avicennia). A family of about 99 genera and 3151 species distributed chiefly in tropics and subtropics. About 22 genera and over 30 species have been reported from India. 
Some larger genera from worldwide are: 
    • Clerodendrum (glory bower), 
    • Verbena (vervain), 
    • Vitex (chaste tree), 
    • Lippia (frogfruit), 
    • Lantana, 
    • Callicarpa (beauty berry), 
    • Stachytarpheta and 
    • Tectona (teak). 
Selected Indian genera are: 
    • Clerodendrum, 
    • Duranta, 
    • Lantana, 
    • Tectona, 
    • Verbena and 
    • Vitex.

Economic Importance

Timber yielding plants:
Teak (Tectona grandis), one of the most famous timber-yielding plants of the world, belongs to Verbenaceae. It is used for high quality furnitures, heavy constructions, ship building, musical instruments and several other similar purposes. 
Some other timber yielding plants of Verbenaceae are: 
    • Gmelina arborea, 
    • Premna benghalensis and 
    • Vitex altissima.

Common garden ornamentals:
    • Aloysia trophylla
    • Caryoptris bungei
    • C. fragrans
    • C. interne
    • C. siphonanthus
    • C. splendens
    • C. thomsoniae
    • C. trichotomum
    • Duranta repens syn. D. plumeri (golden dewdrop)
    • Holmskioldia sanguine
    • Lantana camara
    • Petrea volubilis (Queen's wreath)
    • Several species of Verbena (vervain) such as V. bipinnatifida and V. hybrida.
Verbena oil is used in perfumery, is obtained from leaves of Aloysia triphylla.







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