1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Balm
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| ←Ballyshannon | 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, Volume 3 Balm |
Balmaceda, José Manuel→ |
| See also Melissa (plant) on Wikipedia, and our 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica disclaimer. |
BALM, a fragrant herb, Melissa officinalis, of the Deadnettle order (Labiatae) with opposite, ovate, crenulated leaves, which are wrinkled above, and small white or rose-spotted flowers. It is a native of central and southern Europe; it is often grown in gardens and has become naturalized in the south of England and grows apparently wild as a garden escape in North America. The name is from the Greek μέλισσα, the plant being visited by bees. Bastard Balm is an allied plant, Melittis Melissophyllum, a southern European species, found in the south and south-west of England.
