Common name: Lemon Balm, Common Balm
Melissa officinalis L. APNI* Description: Herb to 1 m high, much-branched; branches becoming slightly woody at the base.
Leaves with lamina ovate, 2–8 cm long, 1.5–5 cm wide; apex subacute; base truncate to cuneate; margins with scattered long simple hairs; petiole 1–4 cm long.
Inflorescence usually 6–10-flowered per node. Calyx 7–8 mm long. Corolla 8–12 mm long, pale yellow to pinkish blue, glabrous; lips shorter than tube.
Flowering: December–March
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in moist areas, particularly of creeks and drainage lines, often growing vigorously in gardens; south from the Orange district. Probably native of E Medit. region, now widely naturalized and cultivated in Eur.
NSW subdivisions: *CC, *CT, *NT, *ST
Other Australian states: *Vic. *Tas. *S.A.
Text by B. J. Conn
Taxon concept:
| N.S.W. occurrences are: subsp. officinalis |
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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