Clinopodium

Clinopodium is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae, commonly known as the mint family. The genus was formerly included in the broad genus Mentha but was segregated on the basis of distinct morphological and genetic characteristics. It contains approximately 150 to 200 species, with a cosmopolitan distribution but a center of diversity in the Mediterranean region, southwestern Asia, and parts of the Americas. Many species are cultivated for their aromatic foliage, while others are used in traditional medicine and as culinary herbs.

The plants are typically herbaceous, perennial and erect, with opposite, simple leaves that are usually ovate or lanceolate. The flowers are borne in terminal or axillary cymes, usually four–petaled and bilabiate, and are often purple, lilac, or white. The calyx is usually tubular, and the corolla is zygomorphic. An important diagnostic feature distinguishing Clinopodium from related genera is the presence of a strongly exserted inflorescence and the specific pattern of oil glands on the leaves.

In horticulture, species such as Clinopodium nepeta (commonly called sweet basil or oregano) are widely cultivated. The essential oils extracted from the leaves contain compounds such as thymol, carvacrol, eucalyptol, and linalool, which contribute to antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Traditional uses include treatment of digestive disorders, fevers, and respiratory infections, and the plants have been employed as natural insect repellents.

Species of Clinopodium often prefer well‑drained soils and full sun, though some alpine and woodland species tolerate partial shade. Because of their ecological versatility and aromatic qualities, several species are maintained in conservation collections, and ongoing phylogenetic studies continue to refine the taxonomic boundaries within the genus.