Leaves alternate, opposite, or whorled, simple
Flowers bisexual, zygomorphic, 5th stamen sometimes a staminode inserted on corolla, corolla 2-lipped, variable infls., flowers often large and showy
190 genera, 4000 species, cosmopolitan distribution
Major genera:
Pedicularis
Scrophularia
Verbascum - wooly mullein
Penstemon
Veronica
Economic importance: ornamentals, root parasites
Digitalis produces digitalin - steroid used as a cardiac stimulant
Diagnostic characteristics: 5-merous (stamens 2 or 4), zygomorphic, corolla 2-lipped, sometimes a 5th staminode present, Scrophulariaceae can be easily mistaken for Lamiaceae but stems are not square and style is not gynobasic
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