Large genus with around 375 perennials, subshrubs and shrubs. Some species are evergreen, have edible tubers and some species are aromatic. Multiple species from this genus are cultivated as ornamental specimens and garden plants. This genus is commonly known by the names hedge nettle, self-heal, heal-all, woundwort, betony and lambs ears. The latter is named after their dense woolly coating of white hairs on their veined foliage and stems, which is soft and velvety to touch. They produce 2-lipped, usually hooded and patterned flowers coloured white, yellow, pink, purple or red on unbranched stems or produced on spikes from between leaves in whorls.