Dwarf shrubs or somewhat suffruticose perennial herbs. Leaves opposite below, usually alternate above, simple, entire, pinnately veined. Inflorescence a terminal bracteate raceme, or flowers solitary in leaf axils. Flowers zygomorphic. Calyx deeply and ± equally 5-lobed, shorter than corolla tube. Corolla glandular-pubescent outside; tube cylindrical, wide, abaxially gibbous at base; limb bilabiate, upper lip 2-lobed, lower 3-lobed and with a prominent palate at base which closes the mouth of the tube. Stamens 4, didynamous, included. Stigma capitate. Capsule beaked, with 2 unequal loculi; adaxial loculus longer, narrower above, opening by a single apical pore; abaxial loculus shorter, broader above, with 2 apical pores. Seeds numerous, reticulate-rugose.

About 42 species, chiefly endemic to the Mediterranean area (especially the Iberian Peninsula) and western N. America. Represented in Pakistan by 1 cultivated species.

In the APG III classification (2009) Antirrhinum is included in the expanded family Plantaginaceae.