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The Classification History of Lamiaceae and a Generic Synopsis in China
| First Author: |
Xu, Si-Cheng |
| Abstract: |
Lamiaceae is an economically significant angiosperm family renowned for its diverse array of spices, medicinal herbs, vegetables, and ornamental plants. Traditionally, Lamiaceae has been recognized as a distinctive natural group closely related to Verbenaceae. However, advancements in research across morphology, anatomy, and molecular systematics have significantly redefined the boundaries between these two families. This has resulted in a large-scale reorganization, with nearly two-thirds of Verbenaceae genera being transferred to Lamiaceae. Currently, Lamiaceae encompasses 226 genera and over 8,000 species, making it the sixth-largest family of angiosperms. Based on recent molecular phylogenetic analyses, the family has been subdivided into 12 subfamilies and 22 tribes. In China, Lamiaceae is extensively documented in Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (FRPS) and Flora of China (FOC), with more than 90 genera and 800 species recorded. This establishes China as one of the seven global centers for the distribution and diversification of Lamiaceae. However, there is a notable gap between these floristic records and research advances on the familial boundary, classification, and generic delimitation of Lamiaceae. To address this gap, this paper reviews the taxonomic history of Lamiaceae, introduces its updated classification, and provides a comprehensive update of the family in China. This includes revised taxonomic keys at subfamilial, tribal, and generic levels, along with detailed synopses for each genus incorporating morphological, geographical, and specific information. To date, China comprises 100 Lamiaceae genera with more than 1,020 species, distributed across 11 subfamilies and 19 tribes. Compared to FOC, 25 genera have been treated as synonyms, while an additional 28 genera are now included. Among these, 13 genera were transferred from Verbenaceae and 15 genera were reinstated, newly established or recorded. This paper serves as a contemporary taxonomic reference for further research on Chinese Lamiaceae plants, facilitating alignment with international studies. |
| Contact the author: |
Li, B ;Xiang, CL |
| Page Number: |
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| Subject: |
Plant Sciences |
| Impact Factor: |
3 |
| Authors units: |
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| PubYear: |
2026 |
| Volume: |
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| Publication Name: |
BOTANICAL REVIEW |
| The full text link: |
10.1007/s12229-026-09324-3 |
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| Download: |
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