Kirtillaceae

The Kirtillaceae are a small family of flowering plants within the order Lamiales, comprising only two genera: *Kirillovia* and *Kirillia*. This family is primarily distributed in the temperate regions of Eurasia, with most species found in the Caucasus, Central Asia, and parts of Europe. The plants in this family are typically herbaceous perennials, characterized by their small, often inconspicuous flowers and unique morphological features.

The genus *Kirillovia* includes a single species, *Kirillovia saxatilis*, commonly known as the rock kirtillia. This plant is native to the Caucasus and has a compact, cushion-forming growth habit, adapted to rocky, alpine environments. Its flowers are small, tubular, and often white or pale pink, arranged in dense clusters. *Kirillovia* is notable for its ability to thrive in harsh, cold conditions, contributing to its survival in high-altitude habitats.

The genus *Kirillia* contains two species: *Kirillia plantaginea* and *Kirillia saxatilis* (previously classified under *Kirillovia*). *Kirillia plantaginea*, also called the plantain-leaved kirtillia, is found in the Caucasus and Turkey. It resembles a low-growing plantain but with distinct flowers that resemble those of the Lamiales family. These plants are often found in grasslands, meadows, and rocky slopes.

Kirtillaceae plants are of limited economic importance but hold ecological value in their native habitats, contributing to soil stability and providing habitat for small invertebrates. They are also of interest to botanists due to their unique evolutionary adaptations and phylogenetic placement within the Lamiales. Molecular studies have helped clarify their relationships with other families, such as the Plantaginaceae and Scrophulariaceae, with which they share some morphological similarities.