Lemon verbena

Lemon verbena

Taxobox
name = Lemon Verbena


image_width = 240px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Lamiales
familia = Verbenaceae
genus = "Aloysia"
species = "A. citrodora"
binomial = "Aloysia citrodora"
binomial_authority = Paláu

Lemon verbena or Lemon beebrush (syn. "Aloysia triphylla" [Armada, J. & A. Barra. 1992. On "Aloysia" Palau (Verbenaceae). "Taxon" 41:88–90.] ) is a deciduous perennial shrub native to Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, and Peru. This plant was brought to Europe by the Spanish in the 17th century. It grows to a height of 1 to 3 metres and exudes a powerful lemony scent. It prefers full sun, a lot of water, and a light loam soil, and is sensitive to cold. The light green leaves are lancet-shaped, and its tiny flowers bloom lavender or white in August or September.

Lemon verbena leaves are used to add a lemony flavour to fish and poultry dishes, vegetable marinades, salad dressings, jams, puddings, and beverages. It also is used to make herbal teas and can make a refreshing sorbet. In addition, it has anti-"Candida albicans" activity. ["Anti-Candida activity of Brazilian medicinal plants" ( [http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=16534671 abstract] ), TEIXEIRA DUARTE Marta Cristina et al, "Journal of ethnopharmacology", 2005, vol. 97, no2, pp. 305-311]

The major isolates in lemon verbena oil are citral (30-35%), nerol and geraniol. [ Lawless, J., "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils", ISBN 1-85230-661-0 ]

Lemon verbena is also classified as "Verbena triphylla" L'Hér., "Verbena citriodora" Cav., "Lippia triphylla", "Lippia citriodora", and "Aloysia citriodora" (Cav.) Ort.

In the Little House on the Prairie episode "Country Girls," we learn that Miss Beadle wears the scent of lemon verbena [http://www.tv.com/little-house-on-the-prairie/country-girls/episode/57166/summary.html] .

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Lemon verbena — Verbena Ver*be na, n. [L. See {Vervain}.] (Bot.) A genus of herbaceous plants of which several species are extensively cultivated for the great beauty of their flowers; vervain. [1913 Webster] Note: Verbena, or vervain, was used by the Greeks,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lemon verbena — n. a Chilean shrub (Aloysia triphylla) of the verbena family, with white flowers and whorls of narrow, lemon scented leaves …   English World dictionary

  • lemon verbena — noun : a small shrub (Lippia citriodora) of Chile and Argentina that has narrow verticillate lemon scented leaves and is used in gardens * * * ˌlemon verˈbena 7 [lemon verbena] noun uncountable a plant with leaves that taste of lemon, used for… …   Useful english dictionary

  • lemon-verbena — citrininė aloyzija statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Verbeninių šeimos dekoratyvinis, prieskoninis, vaistinis augalas (Aloysia citrodora), paplitęs Pietų Amerikoje. Naudojamas gėrimams (arbatai), maisto priedams (kvėpikliams) gaminti.… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • lemon verbena — a plant, Aloysia triphylla, having long, slender leaves with a lemonlike fragrance. Also called citronalis. [1865 70] * * * ▪ plant       (Aloysia citriodora or Lippia citriodora), tropical perennial shrub belonging to the family Verbenaceae,… …   Universalium

  • lemon verbena — /lɛmən vɜˈbinə/ (say lemuhn ver beenuh) noun a small garden shrub, Aloysia citriodora, with long, slender leaves that have a lemon like fragrance. Also, lemon scented verbena …  

  • lemon verbena — noun A deciduous perennial shrub native to South America, sometimes used to flavor foods. Syn: lemon beebrush …   Wiktionary

  • lemon verbena — noun a South American shrub with lemon scented leaves used as flavouring and to make a sedative tea. [Aloysia triphylla.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • Lemon verbena — Lippia (E) …   EthnoBotanical Dictionary

  • lemon verbena — lem′on verbe′na n. pln a South American plant, Aloysia triphylla, having long, slender leaves with a lemonlike fragrance …   From formal English to slang

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