Aromatic herbs, shrubs or small trees, usually glandular. Lvs palmate or pinnate, 1-many-foliolate; stipules free or adnate to petiole. Infl. axillary or terminal, spicate or racemose, rarely fls in fascicles or solitary, bracteate. Calyx campanulate, 5-toothed, rarely 2-fid. Corolla purple, blue, red or white. Vexillary stamen free or somewhat connate with others into a closed tube; anthers usually uniform. Style filiform, incurved; stigma terminal. Pod usually ovate, included within the calyx, indehiscent, 1-2-(3)-seeded; seeds estrophiolate, with a short funicle.