A diary of back garden botany, urban ecology, rural rambles and field trips to the middle of nowhere...
Wednesday, 24 May 2017
Here is a pretty plant with a curious name: Bastard Balm (Melittis melissophyllum). It's one of the Lamiaceae family, sometimes called Dead-nettles i.e. leaves that resemble nettles but no sting.
It's reputed to be a plant of the hedgerow and woodland edge in the West Country though I've done a lot of walking in those parts and never come across any. I bought several from a garden centre and certainly it's one of those wildflowers that can be considered garden worthy.
Richard Mabey states in his book Flora Britannica that the name was to distinguish it from Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis). Perhaps this is so but "Bastard" seems a bit harsh?!