Fatty acid composition of nutlet lipids in 28 species from the Stachyoideae, subfamily of the Lamiaceae, have been surveyed. In all species, octadecadienoic acid (18:2) was dominant. Octadecatrienoic acid (18:3) was a minor constituent in most species, except Physostegia virginiana and Lamium spp. The 18:3/18:2 ratio in Physostegia and Lamium ranged from 0.62 to 1.05. This ratio in all other species was significantly smaller (-0.25). Taxonomic value and phylogenetic implications of results are discussed.