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I.D. Needed 'lemonade scented leaves'
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Posted by Conifer_Nut N.S.W Aust (My Page) on Sun, Aug 8, 04 at 22:54
| Some friends recently bought a house with existing garden.In the garden is a multi stemmed large upright shrub/small tree which is not anything special in looks.However if one crushes the leaves they smell like that of a just poured glass of lemonade...absolutely beautiful smell which is addictive.The smell remained on my fingers for hours.The leaves looked (the best way I can describe)a little like the bay leaf used in cooking.I have taken some cuttings but I'd like to I.D. the plant just in case the cuttings don't do any good.Sorry about the meagre description.I'd attach some photos but I don't have one of those digital camera things and wouldn't know how to put it on computer anyway!Hope someone can I.D. for me.Thanks C.N. |
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RE: I.D. Needed 'lemonade scented leaves'
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- Posted by Zyfert NENSW Australia (My Page) on
Sun, Aug 8, 04 at 23:27
Lemon Myrtle - Backhousia citriodora ???
Native shrub/tree found in east coast rainforests.
Leaves used in cooking and distillation of lemon esential oil. |
RE: I.D. Needed 'lemonade scented leaves'
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| Hi, if it is the plant I am thinking of it is Lemon Verbena or Lime Verbena. I recently bought one and the tag said Lime Verbena. This particular time it was in the herb section of a nursery. At this time of year where I live the leaves have finished falling off and it looks dead. I absolutely love this plant, that is why I bought one for my new garden. I don't know where to plant it, at the moment I am worried about the dog chewing the stick, like he did with my Amelia rose this afternoon. They have flowers later on. They are usually planted near walkways, but I am trying to be careful as they could make us wet if too close. Good luck with finding one. Best wishes. |
RE: I.D. Needed 'lemonade scented leaves'
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| Many, many years ago an elderly neighbour gave me a book in which she put a spring of lemon verbena. I had it for years before it completely disintergrated but it kept its perfume until the end. I love them and have planted one in each garden that I've had. You can put a sprig under your pillow, or make a little "sleep pillow" stuffed with dried leaves, and the warmth in bed brings out the lemony smell. You can use the leaves in cooking - a few leaves make a good substitute for lemon grass. The site below has pictures of leaves, etc. which might help you decide if it is a lemon verbena. |
Here is a link that might be useful: http://www-ang.kfunigraz.ac.at/~katzer/engl/generic_frame.html?spice_photo.html
Lemon Myrtle Perhaps
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| Back again ... while you are on that site, have a look at Lemon Myrtle. I would describe the Lemon Myrtle has having a leaf more similar to a Bay Leaf than the Lemon Verbena. Also, the lemon verbena is decideous and shouldn't have leaves at the moment. |
RE: I.D. Needed 'lemonade scented leaves'
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| Thanks Zyfert,Winter rose and Wombat for the replies.I had a look at the pictures on the link you gave Wombat and I'm now pretty sure its B.citriodora or Lemon myrtle as the Lemon verbena seems to have small serrations on the edge of the leaves whereas the leaves on the tree in question did not.The tree was in leaf in mid winter and I had a feeling it might have been a native when I first saw it so I'm going to chase up a Lemon myrtle at the nursery to confirm.I'll see about lemon verbena as well as it seems like it is a very nice scented plant as well. Thanks all. C.N. P.S.That seemed like a very interesting link Wombat.I'll explore it further. |
RE: I.D. Needed 'lemonade scented leaves'
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| I could be a Pittosporum. The reason I say that is Lemon myrtle and lemon verbena smell intensley lemony, but not really like lemonaide. Pittosporum leave have orangy or lemony with a sweet background odour. There are quite a few different varieties, all are fragrant. |
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