There are about 500 species of flowering
plants in this genus of annuals,
herbaceous perennials and shrubs. They are mostly
native to temperate regions of the
Northern Hemisphere with a few also found in the
Southern Hemisphere.
The
name may come from an Arabic word meaning
"beautiful memory". Another explanation is that
the flowers bear markings that resemble the
handkerchief of St. Veronica which she used to
wipe the face of Jesus after the crucifixion.
