Wrong identification of Melissa officinalis http://www.ionsclub.com/col/index.php?option=com_content&view=art...

Wrong identification of Melissa officinalis

Written by Administrator
Sunday, 07 December 2008 07:02

Hi every body,

Actually when I were searching about Melissa's pictures (Which here in Syria we pronounce it Melissa ) in the Internet to
add it to the Plant Gallery I found that I were searching about the wrong plant.

Melissa officinalis F.Labiateae Aloysia citrodora F.Verbenacea

And I get the pictures which as shown above.

I know the true plant how it showld be looks like, because I have it in my garden.

Without details, I sent an email to one of the herbal's website, providing the message with the pictures which I have.

After 24 hours they replayed providing me the true identification of this plant which is called now Lemon verbena or
Lemon beebrush and the botanical name is Aloysia citrodora F.Verbenaceae which is differed completely from Melissa
which we know here in Syria and the neighboring countries.

What about the Uses and the constituents of this plant, are the uses of the Melissa which we learned in the laboratory the
same of Lemon verbena?

The uses we learned in the labaratory is true but for Melissa officinalis. But for the plant which we use it in our country
(Lemon verbena) they are as the following:

In general Lemon verbena or Lemon beebrush (syn. Aloysia triphylla) is a deciduous perennial shrub native to Argentina,
Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, and Peru. This plant was brought to Europe by the Spanish in the 17th century. It grows
to a height of 1 to 3 metres and exudes a powerful lemony scent. It prefers full sun, a lot of water, and a light loam soil,
and is sensitive to cold. The light green leaves are lancet-shaped, and its tiny flowers bloom lavender or white in August
or September.

Lemon verbena leaves are used to add a lemony flavour to fish and poultry dishes, vegetable marinades, salad dressings,
jams, puddings, and beverages. It also is used to make herbal teas and can make a refreshing sorbet. In addition, it has
anti-Candida albicans activity.

Main constituents:

The essential oil (less than 1%) is mainly characterized by the aldehydes neral and geranial (citral); further monoterpenoids
found are limonene, carvone, dipentene, linalool, nerol and geraniol.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. Aphids, whiteflies, mealy bugs and spider mites may appear.

Uses:

Attractive potted plant. Herb gardens. Fragrance gardens. Near walks or doorways where the aroma can be appreciated.
Harvest leaves for culinary purposes or potpourris.

At last I leave you with the nice pictures of Melissa (as we call it here in Syria).

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Wrong identification of Melissa officinalis http://www.ionsclub.com/col/index.php?option=com_content&view=art...

Lemon verbena leaf Lemon verbena plant

Lemon verbena twig Lemon verbena with flowers

Close-up to lemon verbena flower Flowering branch of lemon verbena

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Wrong identification of Melissa officinalis http://www.ionsclub.com/col/index.php?option=com_content&view=art...

Lemon verbena in flower Flowering lemon verbena twig

Momer hakky, Syria.

References:

1. Armada, J. & A. Barra. 1992. On Aloysia Palau (Verbenaceae). Taxon 41:88–90.

2. "Anti-Candida activity of Brazilian medicinal plants" (abstract), TEIXEIRA DUARTE Marta Cristina et al, Journal of
ethnopharmacology, 2005, vol. 97, no2, pp. 305-311
3. Lawless, J., The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, ISBN 1-85230-661-0

4. http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/Lipp_cit.html

5. http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?code=C962

With all thanks to

http://www.uni-graz.at/ web sit, Tony Morosco, Elvira from www.mountainroseherbs.com who help us to know our
Melissa!.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 11 December 2008 05:05 )

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