African Lamiaceae

The African species of Lamiaceae have been studied for three major Flora projects: Flora of East Tropical Africa, Flora of Ethiopia and Flora Zambesiaca

Plectranthus barbatus

Work on African Lamiaceae has focused on completing the accounts of the family of Flora Zambesiaca (c. 260 species) and Flora of Tropical East Africa (c. 320 species). This baseline work has also facilitated various comparative studies as outlined in the Systematics, Sustainable Use and Conservation of Tribe Ocimeae (Basil and Allies, Lamiaceae) and Chemosystematics and Biological Activity of Lamiaceae projects described separately.

The Flora of Tropical East Africa account was published in early 2009, and consequent corrections to the Lamiaceae for the Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea were also published. The Flora Zambesiaca account is currently with the editors with publication expected in late 2011 or early 2012. This will bring this project to an end, completing a programme of 20 years of research, covering of some 600 species in three major Floras, 6 generic monographs and numerous supporting papers.