It contains trees, shrubs, and herbs notable for heads, spikes, or clusters of small flowers, many of which have an aromatic smell.

[2] The family Verbenaceae includes 32 genera and 800 species.

[3] Phylogenetic studies[4] have shown that numerous genera traditionally classified in Verbenaceae belong instead in Lamiaceae.

The mangrove genus Avicennia, sometimes placed in the Verbenaceae[5] or in its own family, Avicenniaceae,[6] has been placed in the Acanthaceae.

[7] Economically important Verbenaceae include: Tribes and genera in the family[8] and their estimated species numbers:[3] Casselieae (Schauer) Tronc.