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Melissa officinalis

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Melissa officinalis Linn.

Family Name: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Common Name: Bee Balm, Lemon Balm, 香蜂草

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Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Plant Shape Shrubby
Maximum Height 0.5 m to 1 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width 0.1 m to 0.5 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Southern Europe and Mediterranean

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Herbaceous perennial with a bushy growth form up to 1 m tall.
Foliage Leaves are broadly ovate (egg-shaped) with a scalloped leaf margin. The sunken venation creates a quilted leaf texture.
Flowers Creamy white or light purple flowers are tubular and 2-lipped. They are arranged in a spike inflorescence.
Cultivation This species prefers moist, but well-drained soil.
Ethnobotanical Uses Food (Herb or Spice)

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Fragrant (Foliage)
Landscape Uses Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting
Thematic Landscaping Economic Garden

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference Moderate Water
Rootzone Tolerance Disease / Pest Resistant, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting, Division

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Opposite
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net, Recticulate
Foliar Margin Crenate
Foliar Apex - Tip Acute
Foliar Base Rounded / Obtuse, Cordate

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) White, Purple
Flower Texture(s) Smooth
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Terminal
Flower Symmetry Bilateral
Individual Flower Shape Tubular
Inflorescence Type Spike
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

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Master ID 14104
Species ID 3327
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 21 July 2022.
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