Melissa

Melissa is a genus of perennial herbs in the Lamiaceae, native to Europe and Asia but cultivated and naturalized in many other places. The most commonly grown species of this genus is Melissa officinalis, commonly known as lemon balm.

Description

Melissa species are herbaceous plants occurring mainly in Europe and Asia. They are highly aromatic and are used in traditional medicine as calming herbs. The leaves are opposite, rounded to heart-shaped, often hairy, and usually lightly toothed. The flowers are small, in axillary clusters, with a five-parted corolla, the upper lip of which is slightly concave, resembling a 'hood'.

Species

The genus includes the following species:

• Melissa officinalis L. – lemon balm
• Melissa flava (Benth.) Bakh.f.
• Melissa axillaris (Benth.) Bakh.f.
• Melissa yunnanensis C.Y.Wu & Y.C.Huang

Uses

Melissa species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including coleophora lineolea which is recorded on M. officinalis. The crushed leaves, when rubbed on the skin, are used as a repellant for mosquitoes. M. officinalis is also used medicinally as a herbal tea, or in extract form. It is claimed to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antitumor properties.

See also

• List of Lepidoptera that feed on Melissa

External links

• Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder

Melissa Resources
Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials	Wikipedia