| Choisya | |
|---|---|
_IMG_1974.JPG) | |
| Choisya ternata | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Rutaceae |
| Subfamily: | Zanthoxyloideae |
| Genus: | Choisya Kunth[1] |
| Species | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Choisya/ˈʃɔɪziə/[2] is a smallgenus of aromaticevergreenshrubs in therue family,Rutaceae. Members of the genus are commonly known asMexican orange due to the similarity of their flowers to those of the closely relatedorange, both in shape and scent. They arenative to southern North America, from Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and south through most of Mexico. In its generic nameHumboldt andBonpland honoured Swiss botanistJacques Denis Choisy (1799–1859).[3]
The species grow to 1–3 m (3.3–9.8 ft) tall. Theleaves are opposite, leathery, glossy,palmately compound with 3-13 leaflets, each leaflet 3–8 cm (1.2–3.1 in) long and 0.5–3.5 cm (0.20–1.38 in) broad.C. ternata has three broad leaflets, whileC. dumosa has up to 13 very narrow leaflets. Theflowers are star-shaped, 3–5 cm (1.2–2.0 in) diameter, with 4-7 whitepetals, 8-15stamens and a greenstigma; they are produced throughout the late spring and summer. Thefruit is a leathery two to six sectionedcapsule.[4]
Choisya species are popularornamental plants in areas with mild winters, grown primarily for their abundant and fragrant flowers. The foliage is also aromatic, smelling ofrue when bruised or cut. The flowers are also valued forhoneybee forage, producing abundantnectar.[citation needed]
The followingcultivars have gained theRoyal Horticultural Society'sAward of Garden Merit:-
Manyquinoline alkaloids have been isolated from leaves ofChoisya ternata.[9]C. ternata contains an alkaloid (ternanthranin), a volatile simpleanthranilate that can be considered responsible for theantinociceptive activity of the crude plant extracts.[10]
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Choisya can be prone to attack bypythium root rot, particularly when propagated and grown in pots for the horticultural trade. In north-west Europe the main pest is snails, which eat the bark of even mature specimens, resulting in minor die-back of branches wherering-barking has occurred.
Media related toChoisya at Wikimedia Commons