Herb Of The Week - Lemon Verbena - Plants For A Future

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http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Aloysia+triphylla

 

 

Aloysia triphylla

 

 

 

Common name: Lemon verbena Family: Verbenaceae

Author: (L'Hérit.) Britt. Botanical references: 11, 200

Synonyms: Verbena triphylla (L'Hér.), Lippia triphylla ((L'Hér.)

Kuntze.), Lippia citrodora ((Ortega.)Kunth.), Aloysia citrodora (Ortega.

ex Pers. nom illegit.)

Known Hazards: The essential oil from the plant might sensitise the

skin to sunlight[238].

Range: S. America - Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay. Locally

naturalized in the Mediterranean[50].

Habitat: Fields and roadsides[238]. Open scrub[260].

Plants For A Future Rating (1-5): 4

 

Other Possible Synonyms: From various places across the web, may

not be correct. See below

<http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Aloysia+triphylla#WEBREFS>

..

A. citriodora[b,H,P] Lippia citriodora[b,E,HPIC,H,P] Verbena

citriodora[H] Zappania citrodora[G]

Other Common Names: From various places around the Web, may not be

correct. See below

<http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Aloysia+triphylla#WEBREFS>

..

Diapalma [E], Herb Louisa [H], Lemon Beebrush [P,B], Lemon Verbena [H],

Lipia [E], Luisa [E], Yerba Luisa [E],

Epithets: From a Dictionary of

<http://www.winternet.com/~chuckg/dictionary.html> Botanical Epithets

triphylla = 3 leaved;

Other Range Info: From the Ethnobotany

<http://ars-genome.cornell.edu/Botany/aboutethnobotdb.html> Database

Dominican Republic; Haiti; Mexico; Sa; Spain; Turkey; Venezuela

 

 

Physical Characteristics

 

 

A decidious shrub growing to 3m by 3m at a medium rate. It is hardy to

zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in leaf from May to November, in

flower in August, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The

scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and

are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 4 out of 5 for usefulness.

 

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires

well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline)

soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It

requires dry or moist soil.

 

 

Habitats and Possible Locations

 

 

Woodland, Sunny Edge, By Walls, By South Wall, By West Wall.

 

 

Edible Uses

 

 

Condiment; Leaves; Tea.

 

Leaves - occasionally cooked as a spinach[177] but more commonly used as

a flavouring in salads, fruit salads etc[14, 21, 104, 183]. A delicious

lemon-like flavour, it is adored by most people who try it[K].

 

A delicious and refreshing tea is made from the leaves[14, 21, 103,

183]. The dried leaves will retain their lemon aroma for many years[4].

 

 

Medicinal Uses

 

 

Disclaimer <http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/D_med.html#DISCLAIM>

 

Antispasmodic; Aromatherapy; Febrifuge; Sedative; Stomachic.

 

 

An undervalued medicinal herb, lemon verbena contains a strong

lemon-scented essential oil that has calming and digestive

qualities[254]. The plant has a gentle sedative action and a reputation

for soothing abdominal discomfort. It has a mildly tonic effect upon the

nervous system and helps to lift the spirits and counter

depression[254].

 

The leaves and the flowering tops are antispasmodic, febrifuge, sedative

and stomachic[4, 7, 238, 240]. A tea made from the leaves has a

deliciously refreshing lemon flavour and is used mainly in treating

digestive disorders[4] such as flatulence, indigestion and acidity[244].

Some caution is advisable though, since prolonged use or large internal

doses can cause gastric irritation[268]. The herb is also useful as a

stimulant for treating lethargy or depression[244] whilst it is also

used to treat feverish colds[238].

 

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy in the treatment of nervous

and digestive problems and also for acne, boils and cysts[238].

 

 

Other Uses

 

 

Essential; Insecticide; Pot-pourri; Repellent.

 

An essential oil obtained from the leaves is extensively used in

perfumery[7, 61]. An average yield of 0.5% is obtained[7]. There is some

evidence that the use of this oil can sensitise the skin to sunlight and

so its use has been largely replaced by the tropical plant lemongrass,

Cymbopogon spp.[238].

 

The dried leaves retain their fragrance well and so are used in

pot-pourri[238].

 

The growing plant repels midges, flies and other insects[201]. The

essential oil is an effective insecticide in 1 - 2% concentration[240].

 

 

Cultivation details

 

 

Succeeds in most moderately fertile soils if they are well-drained[200].

Prefers a light soil[219]. Requires a sunny sheltered position[166,

200]. Requires a warm damp climate[7].

 

A very ornamental plant[1], lemon verbena is only hardy in the milder

areas of Britain[1, 11, 14], growing well in Cornwall[59]. It can

withstand about 10°c of frost[184] and survives outdoors on a wall at

Kew[K]. It generally survives most winters outdoors if growing in a

suitable position, though it is often cut back to ground level and then

resprouts from the base in late spring[120] or early summer[238]. Giving

the roots a good, thick organic mulch will confer extra protection from

winter cold[244]. The plant succeeds outdoors at Howick, a garden on the

coast of Northumberland.

 

The leaves are very aromatic with a lemon scent[182], they are often

used to make a drink or for their essential oils[4].

 

There has been considerable confusion over the naming of this species.

We are following the treatment used in [11] and [200], which is also the

current treatment in the 1999 edition of The Plant Finder. However, the

book 'World Economic Plants' uses the name A. citrodora Palau (a

different author to the one we cite) as the correct name.

 

Any pruning is best carried out in the spring[219].

 

This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

 

 

Propagation

 

 

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the

seed in a greenhouse in late spring. Only just cover the seed and keep

in a light position, making sure the compost does not dry out. When

large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and

grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant

them out in early summer and give some protection from the cold for at

least their first winter outdoors.

 

Cuttings of softwood, May/June in a frame. Grow on for at least their

first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring after the last

expected frosts[K]. The cuttings root quickly and easily, though there

can be losses in the first winter[K].

 

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, August in a frame. Grow on for at least

their first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring after

the last expected frosts[K]. The cuttings root quickly and easily,

though there can be losses in the first winter[K].

 

 

Scent

 

 

Leaves: Crushed Dried

 

The leaves are very aromatic with a strong lemon scent.

 

 

PFAF Web Pages

 

 

This plant is mentioned in the following web pages

 

* PFAF Catalogue: <http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/C_check.html>

Checklist of plants

 

 

* PFAF Plant Catalogue <http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/C_A.html>

(A)

 

 

 

Web References

 

 

* Details of Medicinal Uses, Habitats, etc. in M. Grieve A Modern

Herbal <http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/mgmh.html> (1931) [4]

 

* [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in

Henriette's <http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/database.html> names

database

 

* [E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the

Ethnobotany Database <ftp://genome.cornell.edu/pub/EthnobotDB/> (sadly

ftp only. The searchable web pages have been pulled).

 

* Data

<http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/cgi/ruled_html_query?colldir=kartesz%2Fm

gdata & collname=bonap98 & query=Aloysia+triphylla> (Latin & Common names,

other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of

<http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/b98/check98.htm> the Vascular Flora of

the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

* [G] Data

<http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?70069> (Common

Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN

<http://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/tax/> taxonomic database.

* [P] Data

<http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_profile.cgi?symbol=ALTR6> . (uses,

distribution, wetland) from the UDSA's plants database

<http://plants.usda.gov/> .

* [HP] Links, Photos,

<http://hortiplex.gardenweb.com/plants/p1/gw1001396.html> Suppliers from

Hortiplex <http://hortiplex.gardenweb.com/plants/> Plant Database

References for Aloysia citriodora (a possible synonym).

* [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in

Henriette's <http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/database.html> names

database

References for Aloysia citrodora (a possible synonym).

* [G] Data

<http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?317750> (Common

Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN

<http://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/tax/> taxonomic database.

References for Lippia citriodora (a possible synonym).

* [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in

Henriette's <http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/database.html> names

database

* [E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the

Ethnobotany Database <ftp://genome.cornell.edu/pub/EthnobotDB/> (sadly

ftp only. The searchable web pages have been pulled).

References for Lippia triphylla (a possible synonym).

* [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in

Henriette's <http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/database.html> names

database

* [E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the

Ethnobotany Database <ftp://genome.cornell.edu/pub/EthnobotDB/> (sadly

ftp only. The searchable web pages have been pulled).

References for Verbena triphylla (a possible synonym).

* [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in

Henriette's <http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/database.html> names

database

References for lippia citriodora (a possible synonym).

* [HP] Photo

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/pictures/j-o/lippia-citriodora.jpg>

From Henriette's plant

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/pictures/herbpics.html> pictures

See the PFAF Links <http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/Links_4.html> Pages

for other sources or the The Gatherer

<http://www.kippewa-gardens.com/cgi-bin/Gatherer.pl> where you can

search many other sources all in one go.

References

[K] Ken Fern

Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field

trips.

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford

University Press 1951

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat

outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate

plants.

[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN

0-356-10541-5

Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting

information on the plants. Good photographs.

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and

Supplement. Murray 1981

A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on

pictures.

[14] Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press

1979 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

A good herbal.

[21] Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.

[50] ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964

An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard

reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little

extra information. Not for the casual reader.

[59] Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall.

Trees and shrubs that succeed in Cornwall based on the authors own

observations. Good but rather dated.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN

0094579202

Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject.

Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with

very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[103] Haywood. V. H. Flowering Plants of the World. Oxford University

Press ISBN 0-19-217674-9

Very readable and well illustrated, it lists plants by families giving

the basic diagnostic features and some details of plant uses.

[104] RHS. The Garden. Volume 111. Royal Horticultural Society 1986

Snippets of information from the magazine of the RHS, including an

article in Crambe maritima and another on several species thought to be

tender that are succeeding in a S. Devon garden.

[120] ? The Plantsman. Vol. 2. 1980 - 1981. Royal Horticultural Society

1980

Excerpts from the periodical giving cultivation details and other notes

on some of the useful plants including Billardiera spp, Calochortus spp,

Drimys spp.

[166] Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990

A good book on plants that you didn't know could be grown outdoors in

Britain.

[177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books

1984 ISBN 3874292169

An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin

names with a brief list of edible parts.

[182] Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992

ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of

their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and

varieties.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong

Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional

food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly

N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other

nurseries from around the world.

[184] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

Excellent photographs and a terse description of 1900 species and

cultivars.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan

Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly

mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd.

1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

A well produced and very readable book.

[219] Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983

ISBN 0-00-219220-0

A nice little book about plants for growing against walls and a small

section on plants that can grow in walls.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling

Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the

globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student.

Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries

for each plant.

[240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian

Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and

Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986

Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of

references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for

the casual reader.

[244] Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990 ISBN

0-330-30725-8

Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and

dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each

plant.

[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994

ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other

plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling

Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148

An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs

from around the world.

[260] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 &

2 Pan Books, London. 1998 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

Excellent photos of over 1,100 species and cultivars with habits and

cultivation details plus a few plant uses. Many species are too tender

for outdoors in Britain though there are many that can be grown outside.

[268] Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis

Publishing. London. 1979 ISBN 0-85613-067-2

Excellent herbal with good concise information on over 400 herbs.

_____

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