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Eucalyptus citriodora - Hook.

Common Name Lemon-Scented Gum, Lemon Scented Eucalyptus
Family Myrtaceae
USDA hardiness 9-11
Known Hazards Citronellal, an essential oil found in most Eucalyptus species is reported to be mutagenic when used in isolation[269]. In large doses, oil of eucalyptus, like so many essential oils has caused fatalities from intestinal irritation[269]. Death is reported from ingestion of 4 - 24 ml of essential oils, but recoveries are also reported for the same amount[269]. Symptoms include gastroenteric burning and irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, oxygen deficiency, ,weakness, dizziness, stupor, difficult respiration, delirium, paralysis, convulsions, and death, usually due to respiratory failure[269].
Habitats Usually found in heavy soils[77], but also succeeding on deep sandy loams in coastal regions[153].
Range Australia - Queensland.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Well drained soil Moist Soil Wet Soil Full sun
Eucalyptus citriodora Lemon-Scented Gum, Lemon Scented  Eucalyptus


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Eucalyptus citriodora Lemon-Scented Gum, Lemon Scented  Eucalyptus
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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early winter, Late winter, Mid winter. Form: Oval, Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Eucalyptus citriodora is an evergreen Tree growing to 45 m (147ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry moist or wet soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

E. maculata citriodora.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Manna
Edible Uses:

Produces a sweet manna-like substance that is scraped off the leaves and eaten[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antibacterial  Astringent

Eucalyptus leaves are a traditional Aboriginal herbal remedy. The essential oil found in the leaves is a powerful antiseptic and is used all over the world for relieving coughs and colds, sore throats and other infections[254]. The essential oil is a common ingredient in many over-the-counter cold remedies[254].An essential oil obtained from the leaves is antibacterial[152]. The essential oil obtained from various species of eucalyptus is a very powerful antiseptic, especially when it is old, because ozone is formed in it on exposure to air. It has a decided disinfectant action, destroying the lower forms of life[4]. The oil can be used externally, applied to cuts, skin infections etc, it can also be inhaled for treating blocked nasal passages, it can be gargled for sore throat and can also be taken internally for a wide range of complaints[4]. Some caution is advised, however, because like all essential oils, it can have a deleterious effect on the body in larger doses[4]. An oleo- resin is exuded from the tree[238]. It can also be obtained from the tree by making incisions in the trunk[4, 152]. This resin contains tannin and is powerfully astringent, it is used internally in the treatment of diarrhoea and bladder inflammation[4, 152, 238], externally it is applied to cuts etc[4, 152].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Essential  Pot-pourri  Repellent  Tannin  Wood

A lemon-scented essential oil is obtained from the leaves[4, 46, 77, 269]. It is used, especially in perfumery but also medicinally[61, 152]. The leaves yield between 0.5 to 2.0% essential oil[240]. This species is a very rich source of citronella, which is much used in the perfumery industry[4, 156]. Some batches of the essential oil contain 98% citronella[4]. Glabrous leaves may contain oil with 65.5% citronellal, 12.2% citronellol, and 3.6% isopulegol; hairy leaves contain more oil with 86.6- 90.1% citronellal, 4.6 - 6.0% citronellol, and 0.7 - 0.8% isopulegol, 1-pinene, b-pinene, and isovaleric aldehyde are also recovered[269]. The leaves and the essential oil are used as an insect repellent[156]. The leaves are also an ingredient of pot-pourri[238]. The bark may contain up to 12% tannin[269]. The wood is good for saw-timber and is used for general construction, poles, railroad ties, and tool handles[61, 269]. Firewood yields run 10 - 21 m3/ha/yr[269]. The hard heavy wood (sp. grav. 0.75 - 1.1) burns steadily and makes a good charcoal with an ash content of 1 - 2%[269].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Industrial Crop: Biomass  Management: Coppice  Management: Standard  Minor Global Crop  Other Systems: SRC

Landscape Uses:Aggressive surface roots possible, Specimen, Street tree. Prefers a sunny position in a moderately fertile well-drained moisture retentive circum-neutral soil[200]. Tolerates poor and dry soils, especially those low in mineral elements[200]. Established plants are drought tolerant[200]. Does not succeed in frost hollows or in windy sites[107]. The plant is said to grow best where the annual rainfall, mostly summer, is 60 to 130cm, with a 5 - 7 month dry season, withstanding high temperatures (29 - 35°C mean monthly maximum) and light frosts. It succeeds in tropical and subtropical arid to semiarid zones, in infertile clays, laterites, poor and gravelly soils and podzols, preferably well drained[269]. A very fast growing species but it is not very hardy in Britain[166]. It might succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country. Eucalyptus species have not adopted a deciduous habit and continue to grow until it is too cold for them to do so. This makes them more susceptible to damage from sudden cold snaps. If temperature fluctuations are more gradual, as in a woodland for example, the plants have the opportunity to stop growing and become dormant, thus making them more cold resistant. A deep mulch around the roots to prevent the soil from freezing also helps the trees to survive cold conditions[200]. The members of this genus are remarkably adaptable however, there can be a dramatic increase in the hardiness of subsequent generations from the seed of survivors growing in temperate zones[200]. Cultivated in warm temperate areas for its essential oil, it thrives in a Mediterranean climate[61, 77]. Eucalyptus monocultures are an environmental disaster, they are voracious, allelopathic and encourage the worst possible attitudes to land use and conservation[200]. The trees cast a very light shade[77]. Flower buds are formed in the summer prior to flowering and seed capsules need at least a further year in which to ripen[11]. Plants are shallow-rooting and, especially in windy areas, should be planted out into their permanent positions when small to ensure that they do not suffer from wind-rock[245]. They strongly resent root disturbance and should be container grown before planting out into their permanent position[11]. The flowers are rich in nectar and are a good bee crop[200]. Special Features:Fragrant foliage, Not North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

Carbon Farming

  • Industrial Crop: Biomass  Three broad categories: bamboos, resprouting woody plants, and giant grasses. uses include: protein, materials (paper, building materials, fibers, biochar etc.), chemicals (biobased chemicals), energy - biofuels
  • Management: Coppice  Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
  • Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
  • Minor Global Crop  These crops are already grown or traded around the world, but on a smaller scale than the global perennial staple and industrial crops, The annual value of a minor global crop is under $1 billion US. Examples include shea, carob, Brazil nuts and fibers such as ramie and sisal.
  • Other Systems: SRC  Short-rotation coppice.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - surface sow February/March in a sunny position in a greenhouse[11, 78, 134]. Species that come from high altitudes appreciate 6 - 8 weeks cold stratification at 2°c[200]. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as the second set of seed leaves has developed, if left longer than this they might not move well. Plant out into their permanent positions in early summer and give them some protection from the cold in their first winter. The seed can also be sown in June, the young trees being planted in their final positions in late spring of the following year. The seed has a long viability[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Hook.

Botanical References

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Links / References

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Readers comment

Katrina Snow   Sat Jul 30 13:03:57 2005

These trees do not make the best trees to plant in backyards: they are subject to sudden limb drop, which is a characteristic of this tree. My two trees have self seeded this year (first time I know of in over 24 years). The leaves smell delicious when you mow over them, and have a lemony-eucalyptus oil smell.

F. Shelfer   Mon Sep 18 2006

Where may I purchase a couple of Eucalyptus citriodora trees? On a recent visit to California I saw examples of the species everywhere but no one could tell me of a nursury which sells them;a web search indicates that the US prohibits the further importation of these trees. I live in northwest Florida, on a large rural vineyard and would like to establish a small grove of these beautiful trees.

Shelfer Vineyards [email protected]

[email protected]   Fri Feb 29 2008

I am growing this plant as a house plant in Nova Scotia, Canada because of its delightful aroma. I haven't quite figured out the conditions the plant enjoys and its leaves tend to turn brown. Any advice would be most welcome.

Ram Prakash Rai   Fri Nov 14 2008

I want about the eucalyptus citriodora, have any antimicrobial activity orantifungal activity .And how much work has been completed on this plant.

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