Lambada

Lambada is a perennial variety of Melissa officinalis included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation. It was developed based on polycross breeding of collection samples with subsequent selection of biotypes and fixation of necessary traits, which allowed creating a plant resistant to drought, frost, lodging, diseases, and pests.

The variety belongs to mid-late types. The vegetative period is 42‑45 days from the beginning of spring regrowth to the first green cut, and the full growth cycle is 85‑90 days to flowering and 160‑180 days to full seed maturity. Lambada reaches average height, has an upright rosette of leaves; leaves are large, green, ovate, and flowers are light purple.

Yield of green mass averages 400‑450 centners per hectare over 3‑4 years, dry material – 90‑105 c/ha, and condition seeds – 4‑5 c/ha. Plant raw material is characterized by strong aroma: essential oil content in raw mass ranges from 0.50% to 0.60%, with citral being the main component (55%).

Lambada is recommended for use both fresh and dried – leaves and young shoots are used as a flavoring agent for tea, vinegars, liqueurs, and infusions. Cultivation technology corresponds to generally accepted methods of growing Melissa officinalis.