Lamiaceae - wild flowers of the Mint family

The Lamiaceae or Mint family is a large and confusing grouping - some 7000 or so species worldwide - with many species difficult to distinguish one from another. Annuals and perennials are included in this family, as are flowers of dry ground and a number of marsh plants. Common characteristics are the square stems, with leaves usually undivided and mostly with flowers having two lips (although the mints, in particular, are exceptions as they have four petals). Many of the flowers in this family are aromatic.

These thumbnail pictures have links to larger photographs and information about each of the species, their habitat needs and an identification guide.

We have used the Scientific names to identify species in this table, but all of wildflowers featured on this website can be arranged A to Z by either Scientific names, Common names or Botanical families via our Sortable Index Table, where we have also provided the facility to arrange flowers in order by dominant Colour.

Introduction to wild flower families...


Sue Parker's latest ebook is a revised and enlarged edition of Wild Orchids in The Burren. Full details here...

Buy it for just £5.95 on Amazon...


Sue Parker's new ebook is a comprehensive and fully revised edition of her acclaimed field guide to the Wild Orchids of Wales. Full details here...

Buy it for just £5.95 on Amazon...


Please Help Us: If you have found this information interesting and useful, please consider helping to keep First Nature online by making a small donation towards the web hosting and internet costs.

Any donations over and above the essential running costs will help support the conservation work of Plantlife, the Rivers Trust and charitable botanic gardens - as do author royalties and publisher proceeds from books by Pat and Sue.