Lemon-scented gum
Corymbia citriodora

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A slender tree. It grows 25-50 m tall and spreads 25 m wide. The bark is powdery and grey and peels off. The leaves are broadly sword shaped and rough and green. The young leaves are more broad. The leaves have a lemon scent. The flowers are in clusters and are creamy white. They are 2 cm across.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. It needs a temperature above 5-7°C. It grows on dry plateaus. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Brazil, East Africa, India, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Pakistan, South Africa, South America, Tasmania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

A sweet manna-like gum on the leaves is eaten. Caution: Eucalyptus oil is poisonous.

Edible parts

Manna, leaves - flavouring

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Safeda

Synonyms

Corymbia variegata (F. Muell.) K. D. Hill & L. A. S. Johnson; Eucalyptus citriodora Hook.; Eucalyptus maculata var. citriodora (Hook.) F. M. Bailey; Eucalyptus melissiodora Lindl.; Eucalyptus variegata F. Muell.;