Lemon-scented gum, Citrus scented gum (Honey bee plants of Hawaii, United States)

Lemon-scented gum, Citrus scented gum

Corymbia citriodora

Summary ⁴

Pollen: Low to high 24-33% crude protein
Nectar: Low to high

Fast growth rate. Buds for 12- 15 months before breaking. Good pollen but lacks amino acid isoleucine. Nectar and pollen every 1 - 3 years.

Flowering time 7-12, 8-10...Smooth white powdery bark. Long narrow leaves that strongly smell of citronella. Buds in threes. No clear bountry between cap and cup of the flower bud. Young trees have a more variable flowering time. Characteristic urn-shape fruit. Because the species is somewhat frost and drought-hardy, some small woodlots and single trees are occasionally met with the interior as the remains of test plantings, or in towns and cities. Formerly cultivated commerically in Zululand where some honey was harvested. Pollen crude protein 24.7% (Aus) (Johannsmeier, M. F. (2016). Beeplants of South Africa: Sources of Nectar, Pollen, Honeydew and Propolis for Honeybees)

Tall, graceful, shaft-like tree 35 to 40m high, found on poor gravelly soils from sea level to about 600m. in rainfed area, but is not particular in its soil requirements and will grow well in almost any soil. Somewhat frost-tender in early stages. Tropical and subtropical, but grows satisfactorily in temperate regions. Commerical timber species, also distilled for itls oil. Beautiful widely planted ornamental. FLowers June to July and seeds freely. (Penfold, A. R., & Willis, J. L. (1961). The Eucalyptus : Botany, Cultivation, Chemistry, and Utilization.)

It prefers laterite soils. As with many eucalyptus, young seedlings are susceptible to termite damage. Has very wide range of climates. Is not a prolific seeder, some years producing no seed at all. Germination percentage of these...is generally high.(Teel, W., & Hirst, T. (1991). A pocket directory of trees and seeds in Kenya. Nairobi: Kengo.)

Sources and Credits

More Info

iNat Map

‹ › ×