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Aloysia triphylla
  • Lemon Verbena

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Aloysia genus in the family Verbenaceae.

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Aloysia triphylla has 0 edible uses listed
Aloysia triphylla has 0 material uses listed
Aloysia triphylla has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The essential oil from the plant might sensitise the skin to sunlight[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - occasionally cooked as a spinach[2] but more commonly used as a flavouring in salads, fruit salads etc[3][4][5][6]. 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[3][4][7][6]. The dried leaves will retain their lemon aroma for many years[8].

Unknown part

Condiment
Tea

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

An essential oil obtained from the leaves is extensively used in perfumery[9][10]. An average yield of 0.5% is obtained[9]. 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.[1].

The dried leaves retain their fragrance well and so are used in pot-pourri[1].

The growing plant repels midges, flies and other insects[11]. The essential oil is an effective insecticide in 1 - 2% concentration[12].

Unknown part

Essential
Insecticide
Pot-pourri
Repellent

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

An undervalued medicinal herb, lemon verbena contains a strong lemon-scented essential oil that has calming and digestive qualities[13]. 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[13].

The leaves and the flowering tops are antispasmodic, febrifuge, sedative and stomachic[8][9][1][12]. A tea made from the leaves has a deliciously refreshing lemon flavour and is used mainly in treating digestive disorders[8] such as flatulence, indigestion and acidity[14]. Some caution is advisable though, since prolonged use or large internal doses can cause gastric irritation[15]. The herb is also useful as a stimulant for treating lethargy or depression[14] whilst it is also used to treat feverish colds[1].

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy in the treatment of nervous and digestive problems and also for acne, boils and cysts[1].

Unknown part

Antispasmodic
Aromatherapy
Febrifuge
Sedative
Stomachic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Aloysia triphylla. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in most moderately fertile soils if they are well-drained[16]. Prefers a light soil[17]. Requires a sunny sheltered position[18][16]. Requires a warm damp climate[9].

A very ornamental plant[19], lemon verbena is only hardy in the milder areas of Britain[19][20][3], growing well in Cornwall[21]. It can withstand about 10°c of frost[22] 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[23] or early summer[1]. Giving the roots a good, thick organic mulch will confer extra protection from winter cold[14]. The plant succeeds outdoors at Howick, a garden on the coast of Northumberland. The leaves are very aromatic with a lemon scent[24], they are often used to make a drink or for their essential oils[8]. There has been considerable confusion over the naming of this species. We are following the treatment used in [20] and [16], 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[17].

This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[16].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Aloysia triphylla. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Aloysia triphylla.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Aloysia triphylla
Genus
Aloysia
Family
Verbenaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Medicinal uses
[13][8][9][1][12][14][15]
Material uses & Functions
[9][10][1][11][12]
Botanic
[20][16]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    moderate
    Mature Size
    3 x 3 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.61.71.8 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 RHS. The Garden. Volume 111. Royal Horticultural Society (1986-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Haywood. V. H. Flowering Plants of the World. Oxford University Press ISBN 0-19-217674-9 ()
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.5 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.3 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. (1986-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.3 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. ISBN 0-85613-067-2 (1979-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.216.316.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.1 Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (1983-00-00)
    18. ? Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent (1990-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    20. ? 20.020.120.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    21. ? Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall. ()
    22. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
    23. ? ? The Plantsman. Vol. 2. 1980 - 1981. Royal Horticultural Society (1980-00-00)
    24. ? Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)

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    Facts about "Aloysia triphylla"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyVerbenaceae +
    Belongs to genusAloysia +
    Has common nameLemon Verbena +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part + and Leaves +
    Has edible useSeasoning +, Unknown use + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has growth rateModerate +
    Has hardiness zone8 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useEssential +, Insecticide +, Pot-pourri + and Repellent +
    Has mature height3 +
    Has mature width3 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntispasmodic +, Aromatherapy +, Febrifuge +, Sedative + and Stomachic +
    Has search namealoysia triphylla + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameAloysia triphylla +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +