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Melittis melissophyllum
  • Bastard Balm

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

248px
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
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • partial shade
    Partial 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
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    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
Melittis melissophyllum has 0 edible uses listed
Melittis melissophyllum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

A coumarin scented (like new-mown hay) herb, it is occasionally used for making a 'Maiwein' or 'Maibowle' type of beverage[1].

Unknown part

Tea

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Melittis melissophyllum.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Astringent, blood purifier, diuretic, emmenagogue, sedative, vulnerary[2].

Unknown part

Astringent
Blood purifier
Diuretic
Emmenagogue
Sedative
Vulnerary

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame in the autumn[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring[4] or autumn[3]. 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.

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



Cultivation

Succeeds in any good soil in partial shade[5][6]. Prefers a rich loam[5]. Grows well in thickets, woodland edges and the garden border[5].

Plants are hardy to about -20°c[6]. 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[4].

Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[8].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Melittis melissophyllum. 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 Melittis melissophyllum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Melittis melissophyllum
Genus
Melittis
Family
Labiatae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1]
Medicinal uses
[2]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[9][4]
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
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
Shade
partial shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
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
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.3 x 0.3 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees, Moths
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Melittis melissophyllum 180508.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Melittis melissophyllum 180508.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Melittis melissophyllum 180508.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Melittis melissophyllum 180508.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Melittis melissophyllum 180508.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Melittis melissophyllum 180508.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Melittis melissophyllum 180508.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Melittis melissophyllum 180508.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Melittis melissophyllum 180508.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Melittis melissophyllum 180508.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Melittis melissophyllum 180508.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Melittis melissophyllum 180508.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Melittis melissophyllum 180508.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Melittis melissophyllum 180508.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    8. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-17

    "image:Melittis melissophyllum 180508.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Melittis_melissophyllum&oldid=78666"
    Facts about "Melittis melissophyllum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLabiatae +
    Belongs to genusMelittis +
    Has common nameBastard Balm +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +
    Has edible useTea +
    Has fertility typeBee + and Moths +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has imageMelittis melissophyllum 180508.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.3 +
    Has mature width0.3 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAstringent +, Blood purifier +, Diuretic +, Emmenagogue +, Sedative + and Vulnerary +
    Has primary imageMelittis melissophyllum 180508.jpg +
    Has search namemelittis melissophyllum + and x +
    Has shade tolerancePartial shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has taxonomy nameMelittis melissophyllum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +