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Aloysia citriodora Palau
Family Name: | Verbenaceae |
Synonyms: | Aloysia triphylla Britton |
Common Name: | Lemon verbena, 柠檬马鞭草 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
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Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Plant Shape | Compact |
Maximum Height | 1 m to 3 m |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru) |
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Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | Herbaceous shrub growing up to 1. 5 - 2 m long and wide. |
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Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts (Edible Leaves, Edible Flowers) Food (Fruit & Vegetable : The leaves can be steamed and eaten as vegetable. The flowers are edible and can be used in teas.;Herb and Spice : The leaf has aromatic lemony, sweet and citrus flavor that are used in many food preparations, particularly in fish and chicken recipes. They are a popular ingredient in stuffing, and are added to various vegetable dishes. They can be combine with other herbs, used in desserts such as ice cream, cakes and muffins. ) Medicinal ( In traditional, the plant has been used to treat stomach ailments and as a skin stimulate. It is also used to reduce fevers, to treat coughs and colds.) |
Landscaping Features
Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers) |
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Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
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Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Full Sun |
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Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
Propagation Method | Stem Cutting (Tip) |
Propagation Method Remarks | Seed - Although the plant has both male and female parts, they rarely set seed, and the seed that is produced is said to be infertile. |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
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Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thin |
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth, Thin |
Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Whorled |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality 1 | Bisexual Flowers |
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Flower Colour(s) | White |
Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Inflorescence Type | Spike |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 31118 |
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Species ID | 5509 |
Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |