Cedronella

For other uses, see Balm of Gilead (disambiguation).
Cedronella canariensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Cedronella
Moench
Species: C. canariensis
Binomial name
Cedronella canariensis
(L.) Webb & Berthel.
Synonyms[1]
  • Brittonastrum triphyllum (Moench) Lyons
  • Cedronella madrensis M.E.Jones
  • Cedronella triphylla Moench
  • Dracocephalum balsamicum Salisb. nom. illeg.
  • Dracocephalum canariense L.
  • Dracocephalum ternatifolium Stokes

Cedronella is a genus of flowering plants in the Mentheae tribe of family Lamiaceae, comprising a single species, Cedronella canariensis, native to the Canary Islands, the Azores, and Madeira. It is also naturalized in various places (South Africa, St. Helena, New Zealand, California).[2] Common names include Canary Islands-balm,[3] Canary balm, and Balm-of-Gilead.[4]

It is a perennial herbaceous plant growing to 1-1.5 m tall. The distinctive feature of these plants is the compound leaves consisting of 3 leaflets, unusual in the Lamiaceae, which usually have simple leaves. The leafy stems terminate in dense, short spikes of flowers with tubular 2-lipped white or pink flowers.

The genus name is a diminutive of Cedrus, though the only connection between this herb and the large conifers of Cedrus is a vaguely similar resinous scent of the foliage.

Cultivation

Grown outdoors in mild climates, these perennials need protection in a sunny position in the herb garden and moist, well-drained soil. In cool climates they can be grown in a sunny conservatory. Water freely in the growing season. Propagate from seed or from cuttings.

References

  1. "The Plant List".
  2. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. USDA GRIN entry for Cedronella canariensis
  4. Bailey, L.H.; Bailey, E.Z.; the staff of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium (1976). Hortus third: A concise dictionary of plants cultivated in the United States and Canada. New York: Macmillan.

External links

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