Back Suurlemoenbalsem Afrikaans ترنجان مخزني Arabic ترنجان مخزنى ARZ Melissa officinalis AST Dərman ballınanəsi Azerbaijani درمان لیمون اوْتو AZB Мелисса Bashkir Melėsos BAT-SMG Меліса лекавая Byelorussian Мяліса лекавая BE-X-OLD
| Lemon balm | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Melissa |
| Species: | M. officinalis
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| Binomial name | |
| Melissa officinalis | |
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)[note 1] is a perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family. It grows to a maximum height of 1 m (3+1⁄2 ft) and the leaves have a mild lemon scent. During summer, small white flowers full of nectar appear. The species is native to Eurasia and naturalised elsewhere.
The leaves are used as an herb, in teas and as a flavouring. It is grown as an ornamental plant and for its oil (to use in perfumery). It has been cultivated (and used to attract honey bees) since at least the 16th century.
- ^ Khela, S. (2013). "Melissa officinalis (Europe assessment)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T203248A2762574.
- ^ a b Bahtiyarca Bagdat & Coşge 2006, p. 116.
- ^ Chisholm 1911, p. 283.
- ^ NRCS. "Melissa officinalis". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 6 July 2015.
- ^ a b Axtell & Fairman 1992, p. 211.
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