Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is a deciduous South American shrub of the verbena family whose long, narrow, pointed leaves carry the purest and most intense lemon aroma of any culinary herb — bright, clean and sweetly citrus with none of the sourness of the fruit. Grown for its fragrance more than its bulk, it perfumes herbal teas (its classic use), syrups, sorbets, custards and delicate fish dishes.