Botanical Name: Dracocephalum moldavica
Family: Lamiaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales
Genus: Dracocephalum
Species: D. moldavica
Common Name: Moldavian Balm, Moldavian dragonhead
Habitat: Dracocephalum moldavica is native to E. Europe to E. Asia. It grows on dry hills, stony riverbanks and valleys at elevations from 200 – 2,700 metres in western China.
Description:
Dracocephalum moldavica is a annual herbiculas plant growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
Flower petal color: blue to purple & white
Leaf type: the leaves are simple (i.e., lobed or unlobed but not separated into leaflets)
Leaf arrangement: opposite: there are two leaves per node along the stem
Leaf blade edges: the edge of the leaf blade has teeth
Flower symmetry: there is only one way to evenly divide the flower (the flower is bilaterally symmetrical)
Number of sepals, petals or tepals: there are five petals, sepals, or tepals in the flower.
Fusion of sepals and petals: the petals or the sepals are fused into a cup or tube
Fruit type (general): the fruit is dry but does not split open when ripe.
It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Cultivation:
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Succeeds in a sunny position in a fertile well-drained soil. The plant is sometimes cultivated for its essential oil. The plant is very fragrant, with both the leaves and the flowers emitting a most refreshing scent of lemons. The flowers remain fragrant and fresh for several weeks. It is a useful plant for filling gaps in the summer border.
Propagation:
Through seeds – sow early spring in situ. Pinch back the shoot tips in May in order to encourage bushy growth.
Edible Uses:
Moldavian Dragonhead is considered a rare essential oil due to its extremely low yield during distillation. This results in a more costly and appealing essential oil. Because of the antioxidant properties, dried Moldavian Dragonhead leaves have been used in cooking and corn snacks to improve nutritional value and increase dietary fiber.The lemon-scented leaves are used to make a tea.
Medicinal Uses:
The seeds are astringent, carminative and tonic. They are used as a demulcent in the treatment of fevers. The plant is astringent, tonic and vulnerary.
There are some reports showing the application of Dracocephalum moldavica as tea and a herbal drug used to treat stomach and liver disorders, headaches and congestion, and it would also be used in folk medicine for the treatment of coronary heart disorders and hypertension.
Other Uses: The plant contains an essential oil, this is a possible source of citral.. In addition, the Moldavian dragonhead is a beautiful, very nectar-rich flowering plant that enriches every flower bed.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracocephalum_moldavica
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Dracocephalum+moldavica
https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/dracocephalum/moldavica/https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/dracocephalum/moldavica/
