Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora), also known as cedrón in much of Latin America, is an aromatic shrub of the verbena family, native to South America and famous for its intense lemon scent.
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Verbenaceae |
| Genus | Aloysia |
| Species | Aloysia citrodora |
Lemon verbena is a deciduous shrub that can reach up to three metres in height, with lanceolate leaves with smooth margins that grow in whorls of three along the stem and can measure up to 7 cm in length. In summer it produces small pinkish-white flowers gathered in loose terminal panicles.
What makes this plant truly recognisable is its fragrance: simply brushing a leaf releases an intense lemon aroma with a slight minty note, due mainly to citral, the main compound in its essential oil, together with limonene, linalool and other terpenes.
It is native to South America, where it grows naturally in countries such as Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. It was brought to Europe during the expeditions of the 17th century and has been grown in gardens in temperate climates ever since.
It prefers a warm, steady climate, a sunny position, good atmospheric humidity and a fertile soil that is moist in summer and well drained. It withstands moderate frosts of down to about -10 °C, although prolonged frosts damage its thinner branches.
In Argentina and Uruguay it is a very popular plant for relaxing infusions, and in northern Argentina and Paraguay its leaves are added to tereré and mate to give them a citrus touch. It is recognised as a medicinal plant in the Argentine National Pharmacopoeia for its digestive, carminative and antispasmodic properties.
Its dried, chopped leaves are also used in cooking to flavour marinades, dressings and sauces, providing that characteristic lemony note without the need to add the citrus fruit itself.
