Lippia javanica stem-tip

The leaves of Lippia javanica are among the strongly aromatic ones found on South African shrubs, lingering when the leaves are dry. The verbena scent is soothing, remembered from wardrobe potpourris of grandmothers, or in cloth sachets for hot baths, in teas or medicines of long ago, the aroma teasing the mind in reliving memories.

The opposite leaves fold in very slightly in the photo along their recessed midribs. Ascending lateral leaf veins curve in, avoiding the margins. Add the net-veining and the leaves have a coarse surface texture.

Look again: the tiny toothing upon the leaf margins confirm that these edges are not entire. The smallest leaf pairs are yellow-green, also growing from upper leaf axils, the erect shrub branching much (Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; Roberts, 1990; iNaturalist).