Lippia

a genus of plants of the family Verbenaceae. They are primarily shrubs or subshrubs; more rarely, they are herbs. The leaves are opposite, whorled, or sometimes alternate. The small flowers, which are white, pink, or purple, are gathered into heads or spicate inflorescences. The fruit is dry and divided into two nut-like mericarps. There are more than 200 species, found primarily in tropical America; two or three species grow in Africa. The weed Lippia nodiflora is found in tropical and subtropical countries of both hemispheres. Some species are cultivated as ornamentals. Lemon verbena L. citriodora is grown for its essential oil.