Subshrubs or herbs. Leaves subsessile to short petiolate, ± hairy, conspicuously impressed glandular, upper leaves bractlike. Verticillasters axillary, 1- to many flowered, in terminal spikes or panicles. Calyx tubular, 13(-15)-veined, straight or slightly curved, ± hairy, glandular, throat pilose, limb with 5 subequal straight teeth or somewhat 2-lipped. Corolla white, reddish, to purple, 2-lipped, hairy; tube straight, gradually dilated at throat; upper lip straight, margin entire, apex emarginate or 2-lobed; lower lip spreading, 3-lobed; lobes subequal or middle lobe larger, margin entire, undulate, or emarginate. Stamens 4, anterior 2 longer, ascending, free, apex arcuate, approximate, included or occasionally exserted; anther cells 2, parallel, divergent or divaricate, connectives transversely thicker. Style apex 2-cleft; lobes subulate, equal or anterior lobe elongated, involute, flat, posterior lobe short. Nutlets ovoid or triquetrous oblong, dry, smooth.

About 100 species: Africa, Asia, Europe; five species in China.

The generic limits between Micromeria, Clinopodium, Calamintha, and several related genera not found in China are controversial.