196 



VERBENACE^:. 



(Thymus), Sage (Salvia), Basil 

 \Satureia\ and Balm (Melissa). 



[CLASS 

 (Ocymum\ Savory 



49. Natural Order Verbenaceae. The Vervein 

 Family. 



DISTRIBUTION. Chiefly tropical and sub-tropical in 

 both hemispheres. One British genus, species i. 



Type Common Vervein ( Verbena officinalis\ 



An erect perennial herb, with opposite toothed leaves, 

 and small flowers in terminal slender spikes. 



OBSERVE the corolla and didynamous stamens, as in 

 Labiates, associated with a 4-celled, consolidated or entire 

 ovary with a terminal style. 



The Family is represented by a solitary species in 

 Britain, referred to here principally because of its close 

 affinity to Labiates. 



Very few species are of economic importance. The 

 Teak (Tectona grandis), an Indian forest-tree, furnishes a 

 most valuable timber, used in ship and railway-carriage 

 building. 



Several Verbenaceas are highly ornamental and favourite 

 garden and hot-house plants, including the garden Ver- 

 benas, cultivated varieties of one or two South American 

 species. 



