108
Lemon balm
Melissa officinalis
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), not to be confused with bee balm (which is genus Monarda), is a perennial herb in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. It grows to 70–150 cm tall. The leaves have a gentle lemon scent, related to mint. During summer, small white flowers full of nectar appear. These attract bees, hence the genus name Melissa (Greek for 'honey bee'). Its flavour comes from citronellal (24%), geranial (16%), linalyl acetate (12%) and caryophyllene (12%).
32565
Melissa officinalis
108.jpg
image/jpeg
30057
2012-04-20T09:33:54Z
115
Herbs and Spices
Herbs
Type 1
2011-02-09T00:37:20Z
2019-05-14T18:04:16Z
false
specific
39338
true
FOOD00108