The Figwort family comprises nearly 2,500 species, which are grouped in about 165 genera. The species are quite widely distributed, but are most abundant in temperate regions, occurring rarely towards the poles and equator. Heller, in his Catalogue of North American Plants, includes 51 genera and 627 species and varieties belonging to the Figwort family. The flora of Iowa has representatives of 21 genera, there being about 45 species
