Family: Myrtaceae
Author: (Hook.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson
Bibliography: Telopea 6: 388 (1995)
Year: 1995
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Corymbia
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Queensland to NE. New South Wales
Description
The Lemonscented gum, scientifically known as Corymbia citriodora, is a distinguished member of the Myrtaceae family. This towering tree is widely celebrated not only for its attractive, smooth, white to coppery bark but also for the delightful lemon fragrance its leaves emit when crushed, which lends the tree its common name.
Native to Australia, its natural range spans from Queensland to northeastern New South Wales, where it thrives in various environments, primarily occupying well-drained soils and hilly terrains. The elegant stature of the Lemonscented gum, characterized by its straight trunk and sparse canopy, allows it to command attention in landscapes, parks, and gardens.
The leaves of Corymbia citriodora are long, narrow, and lance-shaped, emitting a strong lemon scent due to the high concentration of citronellal essential oils. This aromatic quality makes it a popular choice for use in natural remedies and personal care products, promoting its other uses beyond ornamental purposes.
Flowering typically occurs in the summer months, revealing clusters of small, white to cream flowers that attract various pollinators, including bees. This contributes not only to the tree’s ecological value but also to its aesthetic appeal, making it a versatile and cherished species within its native habitat and beyond.
First formally described in Telopea 6: 388 (1995) by (Hook.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson, Lemonscented gum stands out as a prime example of Australia’s rich floral biodiversity, celebrated both for its practical uses and its natural beauty.
Common Names
Spa: eucalipto limon
Eng: lemonscented gum, citron-scent gum, lemon-scent gum, lemon-scented-gum, lemon-scented-gum-tree, lemon-scented-spotted-gum, spotted gum, spotted-gum
Deu: zitronen-fieberbaum
Swe: citroneukalyptus
Por: eucalipto, eucalipto-limão
En: Lemonscented gum, Citron-scent gum, Lemon-scent gum, Lemon-scented-gum, Lemon-scented-gum-tree, Lemon-scented-spotted-gum, Spotted gum, Spotted-gum, Lemon-scented gum
De: Zitronen-Fieberbaum
Pt: Eucalipto, Eucalipto-limão, Eucalipto citriodora
Es: Eucalipto limon
Sv: Citroneukalyptus
Synonyms
- Eucalyptus variegata (F.Muell.)
- Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata ((F.Muell.) A.R.Bean & M.W.McDonald)
- Eucalyptus melissiodora (Lindl.)
- Eucalyptus maculata var. citriodora ((Hook.) F.M.Bailey)
- Corymbia variegata ((F.Muell.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson)
- Eucalyptus citriodora (Hook.)
Distribution
- New South Wales (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Canary Is. (introduced)
- China South-Central (introduced)
- China Southeast (introduced)
- Comoros (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- Easter Is. (introduced)
- El Salvador (introduced)
- Gambia (introduced)
- Guinea-Bissau (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Kenya (introduced)
- Malawi (introduced)
- Morocco (introduced)
- Mozambique (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Rwanda (introduced)
- Society Is. (introduced)
- Tanzania (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Uganda (introduced)
- Wake I. (introduced)
- Zambia (introduced)
- Zimbabwe (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Nov 18, 2020 by J Y Liew (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 8, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 8, 2022 by Oliveira Vander (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 11, 2021 by simone.bless (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 11, 2021 by simone.bless (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Apr 24, 2022 by Eduarda Comenda (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 2022 by Dan Maxwell (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 8, 2021 by Tama Brightwell (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 6, 2022 by Sam Romeyn (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 10, 2020 by JP Corrêa Carvalho (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Nov 18, 2020 by J Y Liew (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 13, 2022 by Glenn Crawford (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jun 29, 2017 by JP Corrêa Carvalho (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 2022 by Dan Maxwell (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 8, 2020 by DustyRose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 6, 2022 by Sam Romeyn (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Aug 13, 2022 by Jacques Fortin (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5418431)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:986336-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson)