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Lemon balm

How to identify Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon balm, also known as Balm mint, Balm, Balm Leaf, Honey Plant, Dropsywort

Lemon balm manifests as a bushy, herbaceous perennial with a notable penchant for exuding a lemony aroma from its leaves. It belongs to the mint family, displaying the characteristic square stems and opposite leaf arrangement frequently found among its relatives. The foliage is typically light green with a slightly serrated edge, contributing to its visual appeal. This plant typically achieves a modest height and spread, growing up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall and wide. The small, white flowers can sometimes be overlooked in the dense, leafy growth but add a delicate touch when in bloom.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial, Annual

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Lemon balm

1

Distinct lemony aroma from leaves, characteristic of the mint family.

2

Square stems and opposite leaf arrangement, typical traits of the mint family.

3

Tiny, tubular two-lipped flowers appearing creamy white or light purple.

4

Nutlets in clusters, dry schizocarps with four one-seeded mericarps.

5

Broadly ovate leaves up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) long with crenate margins.

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Detailed Traits of Lemon balm

Leaf Features

The leaves of lemon balm are broadly ovate (egg-shaped) and up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) long. They are green, wrinkled, and arranged in pairs on the stem. The margins are crenate, with scalloped edges, and feature a sunken venation that creates a quilted texture. The leaves have a distinct wrinkled appearance due to their deep, sunken veins, contributing to their quilted texture, making them easily recognizable.

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Flower Features

The flowers of lemon balm are tiny, tubular, and two-lipped, appearing creamy white or light purple. They bloom in whorls in the axils of terminal leaves, forming a spike inflorescence. Each flower is subtly fragrant and favored by bees. Typically blooming throughout the summer, these flowers are inconspicuous but essential for their ecological interactions. The blooms measure approximately 0.2 inches (5 mm) in length.

Lemon balm Flower imageLemon balm Flower image
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Stem Features

The stem of lemon balm is green, initially soft and square in cross-section but can become somewhat woody as it matures. Typically, the stems are 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) tall and exhibit a branching pattern at the upper sections. Their surface may have fine, soft hairs, adding a slightly rough texture. The color remains a vibrant green in younger stems, gradually developing a more muted brownish hue with age, indicating the transition to a woody structure.

Lemon balm Stem image
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Fruit Features

The fruit of lemon balm is inconspicuous, comprising tiny nutlets borne in clusters. Each nutlet is a small, brown, and dry schizocarp composed of four one-seeded mericarps that can split into separate parts. When mature, these mericarps detach easily, facilitating dispersal. They have a smooth texture and an oblong shape, measuring about 1-2 mm in length. These hardy seeds play a key role in the plant's propagation and are a notable characteristic for identification.

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Key Facts About Lemon balm

Attributes of Lemon balm
Lifespan
Perennial, Annual
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
30 cm to 1.5 m
Spread
40 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
1.2 cm to 1.3 cm
Flower Color
White
Purple
Fruit Color
Brown
Stem Color
Green
Brown
Leaf type
Deciduous
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Scientific Classification of Lemon balm

Family
Mint
Icon allow
Genus
Melissa
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Species
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
Learn More About the Lemon balm

Distribution Map of Lemon balm

Lemon balm is native to the Mediterranean, northern Africa, and some parts of the Middle East. Because of popular cultivation, it has been widely naturalized in parts of Europe and North and South America. It grows in bright areas with rich and moist soils.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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