I have posted this plant on the Plant & Tree Identification site for a week or so and we're not having any luck. I have 3 clumps of these in different areas. It's not catnip, catmint, or several other suggestions if you would like to look on that thread for the many suggestions. The mound is tight and no scent at all. Very detailed leaf.
another picture
another
Here is another
Good idea to come here. I can't wait to see what is thought here.
I thought someone may have this growing and could helpful vs. the ID thread. Something grows out of this clump since there were sticks dried and readily broken off.
Someone suggested (on the ID thread) Stachys macrantha - does anyone have this plant ?
This message was edited Apr 1, 2010 9:07 AM
This looks exactly like my lemon balm. The essential oil content of the leaves varies throughout the season -- I just ran out and checked mine, and right now the scent is *extremely* faint and the leaves have no lemony taste at all.
But so many plants in the mint family look similar this early in the season... I think you'll need to wait a bit longer to be certain of the ID.
Does your lemon balm look like this on the back side of the leaf?
That was my first thought. But you should know for sure if you squish the leaves. They smell strongly of lemon . .
It will grow up taller. It forms a dense clump that spreads and then will seed readily around the garden, as well.
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=lemon%20balm&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
I've had lemon balm about 2 years ago and dug it up for my neighbor because I personally don't like the smell. She loves it so I'll go check her patch. It makes a lovely tall green plant but the smell doesn't sit well for me. There is no scent at this early stage so I'm hoping it's something else since I have 3 patches!
Thanks
Pic of underside of my lemon balm leaf. At this stage my lemon balm is growing tight to the ground unlike my catnip which is already stretching up some individual stems.
I checked my neighbors lemon balm and they are not close at all.
Why don't you pot it up and see how it matures? Peace
Well it's lemon balm - slowly growing compared to mine vs neighbors but -that what it is.........
Okay. I feel better. Every time I look at mine, I wonder what yours is. Maybe divide it up and take it to a plant swap?
Lemon balm was way too aggressive in my yard. Spent hours pulling it.
The smell gets to you after a few hours of close exposure...
