Lemon Ironwood

A genus of eight species of evergreen trees and shrubs the grow wild mainly in Australian rain forests, with one species in New Guinea. It was named after James Backhouse (1794-1869), a nurseryman of York, England. Backhousia citriodora is grown as an ornamental, both in pots and outdoors. It has a delightful lemon aroma, and in the 1990s became increasingly popular as a flavoring in the bush food industry in Australia; there are now large plantations in NE New South Wales. Backhousia anisata (aniseed myrtle), from New South Wales, has anise-scented leaves, and B. myrtifolia (Cinnamon Myrtle), a shrub from cooler areas in S New South Wales, has a cinnamon or nutmeg aroma.

Large evergreen shrub or medium-sized tree with a short trunk, gray-brown bark, flaking to reveal orange new bark, reddish new shoots, and narrowly ovate, glossy, toothed leaves, 5-12cm (2-5in) long, which are strongly lemon-scented when crushed. Pale green to white, bell-shaped flowers about 7nn (¼in) across, with long protruding stamens, are produced in clusters in the axils in autumn, followed by globose brown capsules.


Common Name:
Lemon Ironwood
Other Names:
Lemon myrtle, sweet verberna tree
Botanical Name:
Backhousia citriodora
Genus:
Backhousia
Family:
Myrtaceae
Cultivation:
Rich neutral to acid soil in sun
Propagation:
By seed sown on the surface of soil mix in spring at 13-15°C (55-59°F); by semi-ripe cuttings, mainly in summer. Slow and difficult from cuttings.
Harvest:
Leaves are picked as required and used fresh or dried. Flowers are gathered in autumn, and seeds when ripe in late winter or spring.
Native Location:
Australia (Queensland and N New South Wales)
Height:
3-20m (10-60ft)
Width:
2-10m (6-30ft)
Hardiness:
Min. 5-7°C (41-45°F)
Parts Used:
Leaves, flowers, seeds
Properties:
An aromatic herb with a strong lemon aroma.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally, in the form of an infusion, for colds.
Culinary Uses:
Fresh or dried leaves, flowers, and seeds are used to give a lemon flavor to vegetables, fish, seafood, and white meats, and as a substitute for lemon grass in SE Asian curries. Also in cakes, cookies, sauces, and desserts. Makes a pleasant herb tea.
Economic Uses:
Yields an essential oil, and is a source of citral, used in perfumery, soaps, and cleaning products.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown. Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pp 139-140