Scientific Name:
Melissa officinalis
Pronunciation:
MEE-LISS-uh oh-fiss-ih-NAH-liss
Common Name:
lemon balm
Family Name:
Lamiaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Stems 4-sided; leaves opposite, ovate, up to 7cm long, and smell of lemons when crushed; flowers axial, petals initially pale yellow, opening white or light pink, and then more pinkish as they whither, two-lipped, most 9mm long x <5mm wide.
Habit:
Dense, Spreading, Upright
Form:
Round
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 3: (-40 to -34 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Attract beneficial insects, Container planting, Dried flower or fruit, Fragrance, Ground cover, Herb, Medicinal plant, Perennial border, Summer interest
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Heavily veined, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Pubescent, Glandular hairs, Distinctive smell
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Cordate, Obtuse, Truncate
Margins:
Dentate
Inflorescence Type:
Spike
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Bilabiate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Not showy, White, Yellow, Pink (White when open and fresh)
Flower Scent:
Fragrant
Flower Time at Peak:
Jul, Aug
Fruit Type:
Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Not showy, Ovary separates into four tiny mericarps or "nutlets" that are enclosed in a persistent calyx
Bark Morphology:
Smooth
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Propagation:
Seed, Division - below ground parts
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
(Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant)
