Is Lemon Verbena & Lemon Balm the Same?
Though both are perennial herbs that are used as a flavoring, lemon balm, also called balm, and lemon verbena are two different plants. Lemon balm is classified as Melissa officinalis, and is native to Europe, and lemon verbena is classified as Aloysia triphylla (also Lippia citriodora), and is native to South America. Does this Spark an idea?
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Flowers
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The flowers of lemon verbena are pink, white or off-white, bloom in late summer or early fall and grow on panicles (individual stalks growing out from the main stem).
The flowers of lemon balm are tan or cream colored, half an inch across and bloom in mid summer, late summer and early fall.
Leaves
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Lemon verbena has aromatic (lemon scented) yellow-green leaves that are narrow, have pointed tips and are three to four inches long.
Lemon balm's leaves are aromatic (lemon scented) obovate (egg shaped), wrinkly, serrated, mildly hairy and one to three inches long.
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Stems
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Lemon verbena grows four to six feet (up to 10 feet tall in warm climates), and 10 inches when grown as a potted plant.
Lemon balm grows up to two to three feet tall.
Location
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Lemon balm is found around the Mediterranean, while lemon verbena is found in Chile and Argentina.
Habitat
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Lemon verbena prefers to grow in well drained loam, and in full sunlight.
Lemon balm can grow in full sunlight to partial shade, and in medium to dry soil. It is a potential noxious weed.
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