Redbank Research Station A printed copy with photos is available . It grows up to 1 m tall. Inconspicuous white flowers appear in the axils of the leaves in mid-summer.
Leaves are usually hairless and bright green.
There are three subspecies of lemon balm that vary in the intensity of their scent. One subspecies found growing wild in the Coromandel has a fruit-mint scent instead of the traditional lemon. Lemon balm is native to southern Europe, but it has naturalised widely throughout Europe and elsewhere, including New Zealand. Uses Lemon balm is a traditional European medicinal herb, but its use in cooking and garnishing, and as a refreshing tea is increasing. It is considered to have carminative and antispasmodic activity and is used to treat all sorts of ailments including insomnia, cramps, headache and toothache.