BASTARD BALM Melittis melissophyllum (Lamiaceae) Height to 60cm. Attractive, hairy and strong-smelling perennial that grows along woodland rides and in shady hedgerows and areas of scrub. FLOWERS are 25-40mm long, fragrant, mainly white and variably adorned with pink or purple, the length of the corolla tube greater exceeding that of the calyx; borne in whorls (May-Jul). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are ovate, toothed and stalked. STATUS-Local and rather scarce in S England (mainly the SW) and S Wales; scarce or absent elsewhere.