Is this a lemon balm?

I found a kind of herb in my garden and that smells like a lime or lemon.
Do you think it's a lemon balm?

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Permalink Reply by Stephen Shirley on May 1, 2012 at 14:54

Indeed it does - years of Latin and Greek taught me that.

But just because Melissa + Honey Bee in Greek it does not make Melissa officinalis Beebalm.

There is enough confusion in horticulture with 'common names' (for instance I can think of at least three very different plants that are known as 'Old Man's Beard' - from a vigorous climber to a tree to a low growing perennial) without creating new ones!

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Permalink Reply by Jade Hwang on May 1, 2012 at 15:38

thank you, Malagrowther.

I only know the practical side of lemon balm, unlike you guys of high learning, what you discussed are all greek to me! lol

Malagrowther said:

Stephen,

Tenuous? I thought you had established that Melissa = Honey bee in Greek?

Hey Jade, those cakes look scrumptious!

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Permalink Reply by Takashi Sato on May 1, 2012 at 18:49

Jade, did you make those cakes? look yummy! I can see crushed lemon balms inside the cakes.

Jade Hwang said:

I have lots of lemon balms in my gardens. They spread like weed, but they are much more useful thankfully. Lemon balms can be used in salads, cakes, drinks and even ice cream.

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Permalink Reply by Jade Hwang on May 1, 2012 at 19:50

yes, i did. just add a spoonful of the chopped herb into the madeleine cake mixture.

Takashi Sato said:

Jade, did you make those cakes? look yummy! I can see crushed lemon balms inside the cakes.

Jade Hwang said:

I have lots of lemon balms in my gardens. They spread like weed, but they are much more useful thankfully. Lemon balms can be used in salads, cakes, drinks and even ice cream.