Seasonal Wild Flowers

Balm

Melissa officinalis

Lemon Balm

Lamiaceae

July to October

It is found mainly in southern areas. It is scattered from

Norfolk northwards, and is least common in the far North.

See the BSBI distribution map for Balm

It is a neophyte, which has been planted in UK gardens

since the the 990s, and first noted as a naturalised

escape in the 1760s.

It grows beside paths and roads and in waste places

close to habitation.

Balm is a lemon-scented, rhizomatous, perennial herb,

growing up to 1m.

The flowers are small (up to15mm) and inconspicuous.

They are pale yellow turning white.

The petals are fused to form a tube and have a 2-lobed and

hooded upper lip and a 3-lobed lower lip.

There are 4 stamens.

The calyx is persistent, unequal and pointed.

Leaves are green, ovate to lanceolate and crinkly.

Balm, South Somerset

Whorls of flowers

Single flowers

Side view of flower, calyx and stamens

Calyces

Crinkly leaves