Darwinia citriodora, commonly known as lemon-scented darwinia or lemon scented myrtle,[2] is a plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with oblong to lance-shaped leaves and red, yellow and orange flowers over an extended period. It is a hardy plant in well-drained soil, is often cultivated and used as a rootstock for less hardy species.
Description
Darwinia citriodora is a compact shrub which grows to a height and width of 1–1.5 metres (3–5 ft). The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the stems, 6–12 millimetres (0.2–0.5 in) long, lance-shaped to oval with a blunt tip and with their edges rolled under. They are usually a rich green colour but often turn purplish during winter. The leaves have obvious oil glands on their lower surface and have a pleasant lemon scent when crushed. The flowers are arranged in groups of four near the ends of the branches, each group surrounded by reddish-green, leaf-like bracts. Individual flowers are small, tube-shaped and yellow with the petals enclosing the stamens. The style is about 10 millimetres (0.4 in) long, red to yellow and extends beyond the flower, with its brush-like tip curving towards the centre of the group of flowers. Flowering occurs between May and December.[3][4]
Darwinia citriodora has been available in nurseries for many years and a variety with larger than normal flowers has been produced.[4] It is easily propagated from cuttings which are best obtained at the end of summer or early autumn.[3] It is valuable as a rootstock for other species, especially those from the generaVerticordia, Chamelaucium and Actinodium as well as for other species of Darwinia.[11][12]
^Paczkowska, Grazyna; Chapman, Alex R. (2000). The Western Australian flora : a descriptive catalogue. Perth: Wildflower Society of Western Australia. p. 360. ISBN0646402439.
^Hewett, Max. "Verticordia in the Garden". Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
