Sweet Verbena Tree

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:	Sweet Verbena Tree
Other Names:	Lemon myrtle, lemon ironwood
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