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Verbena Officinalis Where Are You?

Charlie 2Charlie 2 Posts: 8
in Plants

A friend recently returned to the UK after living in France for years queried why I was growing Lemon Verbena (Lippia Citriodora) when 'all of Europe prefers Vervain! It is bigger, better and lemonier!'  My trusty herb book implies that one equals the other.  However I have now shown my friend Aloysia Triphylla which she states is completely wrong as it is for drying and making tea.  Further research via the web has flagged up Verbena Officinalis but I cannot track down this plant.  Can anyone help with this please? 

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  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,162

    Verbena officinalis, aka Vervain, is not remotely lemon tasting or smelling.

    Lippia citriodora is a synonym for aloysia ctrodora. this is also known as Lemon Verbena

    Another strong lemon plant is Melissa officinalis



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Charlie 2Charlie 2 Posts: 8

    Thanks nutcutlet for very helpful information.  I will explore Melissa officinalis which I believe is also called lemon balm.

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,313

     I grow both lemon balm and lemon verbena - though lemon balm is a bit of a weed.
    I'm only just seeing the tiny shoots appearing on the twigs of the verbena.
    Lemon balm is already a few inches high.

    Lemon balm gives a nice not overpowering lemon flavour Lemon verbena is much, much stronger and smells more lemony than lemons to me. I sometimes use a couple of leaves in place of lemongrass

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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