Family: Verbenaceae

Lemon Beebrush is a shrub that smells strongly of lemon, as the common name suggests. A low maintenance plant, water well until established. Virtually pest-free, adding to the ease of growing. Propagate vegetatively using softwood cuttings — trim tips to promote bushy growth. Showy white flowers bloom in summer. Use the leaves in cooking, as tea, or for potpourri inside the home. The dried leaves can retain their sent for years.

Plant Uses:

• Container plant
• Edible
• Fragrant
• Medicinal
• Ornamental

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized outside native range: Established in tropical/subtropical regions (e.g., Puerto Rico, parts of Europe).
  
• History of introduction: Widely cultivated and intentionally spread globally.
  
• Tolerates pruning: Benefits from or recovers well from cultivation and mutilation.

Low Risk Traits:

• Not weedy: Not a weed of agriculture, forestry, or natural environments.
  
• No harmful traits: Lacks spines, toxins, allelopathy, and is not parasitic.
  
• Low ecological impact: Does not create fire hazards or form dense thickets.
  
• Specific habitat needs: Requires full sun and well-drained soil; not shade tolerant or environmentally versatile.
  
• Limited reproduction: No vegetative spread; long time to maturity; low seed production.
  
• Poor dispersal: Seeds lack adaptations for wind, water, or animal dispersal.