Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm

Scientific Name:
Melissa officinalis var. mandarina

Family:
Lamiaceae

Varieties:

• Mandarina (ID: 213)

Introduction

Melissa officinalis var. mandarina, commonly known as ‘Mandarina’ Lemon Balm, is a cultivar of the perennial herbaceous plant Melissa officinalis, belonging to the Lamiaceae family. This variety is noted for its leaves, which have a distinct scent reminiscent of Mandarin oranges, making it a unique alternative to traditional lemon balm. Lemon balm is native to south-central Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, Central Asia, and Iran, and has been naturalized in many parts of the world. It has been cultivated for centuries for its medicinal properties, culinary uses, and as an ornamental plant.

Characteristics

• Physical Characteristics: Lemon balm plants typically grow up to 1 m (3+1⁄2 ft) tall, with heart-shaped leaves that are 2–8 cm long and have a rough, veined surface. The ‘Mandarina’ variety is particularly valued for its Mandarin orange scent.
• Growing Conditions: Lemon balm prefers rich, moist soil and full sun to partial shade. It can be grown from seed or propagated through division and cuttings.
• Lifecycle: As a perennial, lemon balm lives for about ten years but is often replaced every five years to maintain soil health. In mild climates, it dies back in winter and regrows in spring.

Why is this crop useful for space?

Lemon balm, including the ‘Mandarina’ variety, could be beneficial for space cultivation due to several reasons: - Culinary and Medicinal Uses: Its leaves can be used to flavor food, make teas, and have calming effects, which could enhance the psychological well-being of astronauts during long missions. - Air Purification and Odor Control: The aromatic properties of lemon balm might help in maintaining a pleasant environment in closed systems like spacecraft. - Low Maintenance: Lemon balm is relatively easy to grow and maintain, requiring minimal care, which is advantageous in controlled environments like space stations.

History of Cultivation in Space

There is no specific information available on the cultivation of Melissa officinalis var. mandarina in space. However, various herbs and plants have been grown in space as part of experiments to study plant growth in microgravity and to develop sustainable food systems for future missions. These experiments often focus on plants that are easy to grow, nutritious, and can provide psychological benefits, making lemon balm a potential candidate for future space cultivation projects.

References: - MyGardenLife: Orange Balm ‘Mandarina’ (Melissa officinalis) - Wikipedia: Lemon Balm - Wisconsin Horticulture: Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis - Washington College: Lemon Balm - Melissa officinalis - Garden.org: Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis ‘Mandarina’) - [Note: Specific references to space cultivation of Melissa officinalis var. mandarina are not available, but general information on plant cultivation in space can be found in various scientific studies.]