Herb. No. 080 · Verbenaceae
Andean shrub of Argentina, Chile, and Peru; a tender lemon-scented pot plant elsewhere.
Native · South America
Native Also grown
LegalGentleplant
Lemon verbena
Aloysia citrodora
An Andean shrub that smells more of lemon than lemon does — a digestive and evening leaf.
Lemon verbena is a South American deciduous shrub whose oil is almost pure citral. Traditional use is as a after-dinner and bedtime tea. Culinary leaf is the form with the longest kitchen record. The essential oil is another, stronger drug.
Flavor
Bright lemon peel and sweet herb, cleaner than lemongrass, no pith bitterness.
Parts used
Leaf
Helpful
- The most lemon of the lemon herbs
- A beautiful pot shrub
Cautions
- Tender below freezing
- Oil is not a beverage