Aloysia triphylla

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Aloysia triphylla
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Xeric Mesic
Hardiness:8
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Height:10'
Width:10'
Speed:Moderate
Blooms:Late Summer
Native to:
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating:PFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Aloysia triphylla (common name: lemon verbena)

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].

Cultivation: Succeeds in most moderately fertile soils if they are well-drained[1]. Prefers a light soil[2]. Requires a sunny sheltered position[3][1]. Requires a warm damp climate[4].

A very ornamental plant[5], lemon verbena is only hardy in the milder areas of Britain[5][6][7], growing well in Cornwall[8]. It can withstand about 10°c of frost[9] 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[10] or early summer[11]. Giving the roots a good, thick organic mulch will confer extra protection from winter cold[12]. The plant succeeds outdoors at Howick, a garden on the coast of Northumberland.

The leaves are very aromatic with a lemon scent[13], they are often used to make a drink or for their essential oils[14].

There has been considerable confusion over the naming of this species. We are following the treatment used in [6] and [1], 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[2].

This species is notably resistant to honey fungus.[1]

Range: S. America - Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay. Locally naturalized in the Mediterranean[15].

Habitat: Fields and roadsides[11]. Open scrub[16].

Edibility: Leaves - occasionally cooked as a spinach[17] but more commonly used as a flavouring in salads, fruit salads etc[7][18][19][20]. 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[7][18][21][20]. The dried leaves will retain their lemon aroma for many years[14].

Medicinal: An undervalued medicinal herb, lemon verbena contains a strong lemon-scented essential oil that has calming and digestive qualities[22]. 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[22].

The leaves and the flowering tops are antispasmodic, febrifuge, sedative and stomachic[14][4][11][23]. A tea made from the leaves has a deliciously refreshing lemon flavour and is used mainly in treating digestive disorders[14] such as flatulence, indigestion and acidity[12]. Some caution is advisable though, since prolonged use or large internal doses can cause gastric irritation[24]. The herb is also useful as a stimulant for treating lethargy or depression[12] whilst it is also used to treat feverish colds[11].

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy in the treatment of nervous and digestive problems and also for acne, boils and cysts[11].

Usage: An essential oil obtained from the leaves is extensively used in perfumery[4][25]. An average yield of 0.5% is obtained[4]. 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[11]..

The dried leaves retain their fragrance well and so are used in pot-pourri[11].

The growing plant repels midges, flies and other insects[26]. The essential oil is an effective insecticide in 1 - 2% concentration[23].

Pollinators: Insects

Notes: We could supply this in the next catalogue.

Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

In Leaf: Late Spring-Late Fall

Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Mid Fall

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Known Hazards: The essential oil from the plant might sensitise the skin to sunlight[11].

Also Known As: A. citrodora. Lippia citrodora. L. triphylla. Verbena triphylla.

Links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
  3. ↑ Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.
  8. ↑ Thurston, Edgar. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall. Cambridge University Press, 1930.
  9. ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
  10. ↑ Royal Horticultural Society. The Plantsman Vol. 2. 1980 - 1981. Royal Horticultural Society, 1980.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.
  13. ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
  15. ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
  16. ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
  17. ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
  19. ↑ RHS. The Garden Volume 111. Royal Horticultural Society, 1986.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
  21. ↑ Heywood, Vernon. Flowering Plants of the World. Oxford University Press.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
  24. ↑ Stuart, Malcolm. The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism. Orbis Publishing, 1979.
  25. ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
  26. ↑ Allardice, Pamela. A-Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers, 1993.


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