Practical
Plants

Melittis melissophyllum

Bastard Balm

a perennial member of the Melittis genus in the family Labiatae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Bees, Moths
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Moths

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A coumarin scented (like new-mown hay) herb, it is occasionally used for making a 'Maiwein' or 'Maibowle' type of beverage[2].

Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Astringent, blood purifier, diuretic, emmenagogue, sedative, vulnerary[8].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Blood purifier
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Vulnerary

Environment

Range
Central and southern Europe, including Britain.
Habitat
Hedges, scrub and mountain woods[3].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a cold frame in the autumn[4]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring[5] or autumn[4]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in any good soil in partial shade[1][3]. Prefers a rich loam[1]. Grows well in thickets, woodland edges and the garden border[1]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[3]. The flowers have a pleasing sweet honey-like scent[7]. The leaves become sweetly fragrant as they dry[7], they retain their fragrance for a long time[5]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  3. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  6. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  7. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  8. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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