# Citronella Horse Balm (*collinsonia canadensis*) Citronella Horse Balm is a tall plant with pretty yellow flowers that smell amazing! It’s great for attracting butterflies and can be used to make soothing balms. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Citronella Horse Balm typically grows in moist woodlands and along streams. - **Also known as:** Citronella Plant, Collinsonia, Horse Balm ![Citronella Horse Balm](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Collinsonia_canadensis_flowers.jpg&width=800) Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Collinsonia_canadensis_flowers.jpg) ## Appearance The Citronella Horse Balm has tall, sturdy stems with large, oval, toothed leaves that emit a lemony scent when crushed. Its unusual, pale yellow flowers appear in loose clusters, featuring a distinctive lower lip that makes them stand out. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Lamiales - **Family:** Lamiaceae - **Genus:** Collinsonia ## Interesting facts - Indigenous people once mashed its fragrant leaves to make soothing poultices. - It's sometimes called 'Richweed' because it thrives in moist, fertile forest floors! - Its old name, 'Stone-root,' comes from its incredibly hard, rock-like root! - The plant’s unique flower shape guides thirsty bees right to its nectar! ## Special abilities - **Scented Shield:** Citronella Horse Balm can release a strong, lemony fragrance from its leaves, helping it deter hungry herbivores from taking a bite. - **Medicinal Roots:** Citronella Horse Balm has special compounds in its tough roots that were traditionally used by people to soothe various ailments. - **Nectar Beacon:** Citronella Horse Balm displays unique, pale yellow flowers that produce nectar, helping it attract beneficial insect pollinators. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 60-120 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer to fall - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — Collects nectar and pollen from its flowers. - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Young leaves might be occasionally browsed. - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits its flowers for nectar and pollen. ## Traits - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Citronella Horse Balm? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Citronella Horse Balm? 60-120 cm ### How wide does Citronella Horse Balm spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on Citronella Horse Balm? 0.5-1 cm ### When does Citronella Horse Balm bloom? Summer to fall ### Is Citronella Horse Balm edible? No ### Is Citronella Horse Balm toxic? None ### What is Citronella Horse Balm's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Chesterfield Gorge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chesterfield-gorge) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Miami Whitewater Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/miami-whitewater-forest) — Ohio, US · Park - [Nichols Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nichols-arboretum) — Michigan, US · Botanical Garden - [Holden Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/holden-arboretum) — Ohio, US · Botanical Garden - [Long Island Motor Parkway](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/long-island-motor-parkway) — New York, US · Park - [Lemon Road Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lemon-road-park) — Virginia, US · Park [View all places to see Citronella Horse Balm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/citronella-horse-balm) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Citronella Horse Balm: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/citronella-horse-balm)