Cedronella

For other uses, see Balm of Gilead (disambiguation).

Cedronella is a genus of flowering plants in the tribe Mentheae of the 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]

Cedronella
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Lamiaceae
Subfamily:	Nepetoideae
Tribe:	Mentheae
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

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.