Lemon Bee Balm

Other names

Lemon Mint

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Perennation

Annual

Native distribution

Kansas to Mexico

Biocultural value

Leaves are brewed into a lemon-flavored tea.

Location

Robison Herb Garden

Source of plant

Pinetree Garden Seeds

Description

Annual, 30-60cm. Stem unbranched or branched at the inflorescence, pubescent. Leaves 3-6cm, lanceolate or oblong, evenly puberulent throughout, margins remotely serrate or ciliate; petioles to 3cm. Glomerules 1.5-3.5cm across, subtending outer subfoliar bracts, inner bracts oblong, occasionally lanceolate, 5-9mm broad, abruptly acuminate to a spinose bristle 2-5mm long, inner surfaces canescent often purple, outer surfaces pubescent; calyx tube 6-13mm, puberulent, mouth bearded, teeth 2-7mm, aristate, hirsute; corolla white or pink, dotted with purple, tube 7-19mm long, throat funnel-shaped, upper and lower lips equal.

USDA Hardiness Zone

7

Special characteristics

food