| Lemon-scented ironbark | |
|---|---|
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| Eucalyptus staigeriana leaf | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Eucalyptus |
| Species: | E. staigeriana |
| Binomial name | |
| Eucalyptus staigeriana | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Eucalyptus crebra var.citrataF.Muell. | |
Eucalyptus staigeriana, commonly known as thelemon-scented ironbark,[2] is a species of smallironbark tree that isendemic to theCape York Peninsula. It has rough ironbark on the trunk and branches, lance-shaped to egg-shaped leaves that smell of lemons when crushed, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and oval to spindle-shaped fruit.
Eucalyptus staigeriana is a tree that typically grows to a height of 12–21 m (39–69 ft) and forms alignotuber. It has rough, dark grey or black ironbark on the trunk and branches. Young plants andcoppice regrowth have greyish green toglaucous, egg-shaped leaves that are 38–70 mm (1.5–2.8 in) long and 20–40 mm (0.79–1.57 in) wide andpetiolate. Adult leaves are arranged alternately, the same shade of dull-green to glaucous on both sides, lance-shaped to egg-shaped, 40–110 mm (1.6–4.3 in) long and 12–32 mm (0.47–1.26 in) wide on a petiole 4–14 mm (0.16–0.55 in) long. The leaves smell strongly of lemons when crushed. The flower buds are arranged on the ends of branchlets in groups of seven on a branchedpeduncle 7–16 mm (0.28–0.63 in) long, the individual buds onpedicels 2–6 mm (0.079–0.236 in) long. Mature buds are oval to spindle-shaped, 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) wide with a conical to beakedoperculum. Flowering occurs from December to February and the flowers are white. The fruit is a woody oval to spindle-shapedcapsule 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long and 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) wide with the valves near rim level or below it.[2][3]
Eucalyptus staigeriana was first formally described in 1883 byFrederick Manson Bailey from an unpublished description byFerdinand von Mueller. The description was published in Bailey's bookA Synopsis of the Queensland Flora.[4] Thespecific epithet (staigeriana) honours Karl Theodore Staiger (1833-1888).[2][5]
The lemon-scented ironbark grows in woodland and open forest in hilly country on the eastern side of the Cape York Peninsula.[2][3]
This eucalypt is classified as "least concern" under the Queensland GovernmentNature Conservation Act 1992.[6]
The complexessential oil is distilled from the leaves and used forflavouring,perfumery andaromatherapy. It has a fruity-lemon fragrance with rosemary-like back tones.E. staigeriana fresh weight leaves yield 2.9–3.4% essential oil. It contains a range of essential oil components, includinggeranial, methyl geranate,geranyl acetate,limonene,phellandrene,neral,terpinolene andgeraniol.
Brazil andGuatemala are the major producers ofEucalyptus staigeriana oil, with Brazil producing up to 60 tonnes pa.[7]
Authority control databases: National |
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