Moldavian balm
Dracocephalum moldavica

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It has many branches. It grows 15-25 cm high. The leaves are sword shaped and have teeth along the edge. They are 1-4 cm long by 1 cm wide. The flowers are white or violet and in rings.

There are about 45 Dracocephalum species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In north China it grows on dry hills and river banks between 200-2,700 m above sea level. It suits plant hardiness zone 7.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Alps, Asia, Central Asia, China, Europe, India, Iran, Middle East, Moldavia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Siberia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan

How it is used for food

Young shoots are edible. The leaves can be used for tea. They have a lemon scent.

Edible parts

Leaves - flavouring, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kololo, Moldavian dragon's head, Moldavski zmajeglavec, Tukhme-ferunjmishk

Synonyms

Dracocephalum fragrans Salisb. [Illegitimate]; Moldavica moldavica (L.) Britton; Moldavica punctata Moench; Moldavica setosa Stokes; Moldavica suaveolens (L.) Baill.; Ruyschiana moldavica (L.) House;