The order Lamiales is a diverse group of flowering plants within the class Magnoliopsida, encompassing many familiar herbs, shrubs, and trees. Members of Lamiales are generally characterized by opposite leaves, bilaterally symmetrical flowers, and often a fused corolla. This order includes economically and ecologically important families such as Lamiaceae (mint family), Verbenaceae, Oleaceae (olive family), and Bignoniaceae. Many species produce aromatic compounds or secondary metabolites, which have uses in culinary, medicinal, and ornamental contexts. Lamiales plants are widely distributed, thriving in temperate to tropical regions, and play important roles in ecosystems as sources of nectar for pollinators and habitat for wildlife.