Lemon eucalyptus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Eucalyptus maculata var. citriodora
• Eucalyptus citriodora
• Eucalyptus melissiodora

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following its placement in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Myrtales, it is a member of the family Myrtaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its classification within the genus Corymbia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across multiple regions of Africa and its surrounding islands. In Northern Africa, its presence is noted within the borders of Morocco. Its range extends to the Macaronesian region, specifically found on the Canary Islands. Moving into West Tropical Africa, the species can be located in Burkina. Finally, its distribution continues through Gambia and Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Corymbia citriodora is characterized by its broad adaptability to varying topographical gradients, occupying a wide vertical distribution within its habitat. The species thrives across a diverse altitudinal spectrum, ranging from sea level at a minimum elevation of 0 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL. While the species is capable of colonizing lowland areas, its ecological presence is most significant around a mean elevation of 1600 m AMSL, suggesting a specialized niche within mid-to-high altitude environments where specific climatic and soil conditions are met.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Genetics

The genetics of Corymbia citriodora are characterized by a notable degree of chromosomal variation, which is often indicative of the complex evolutionary history and polyploidization processes common within the Myrtaceae family. Specifically, the species exhibits diverse somatic and germline chromosome numbers, with recorded values of 20, 22, and 28. This variation in chromosome number suggests a high level of genomic plasticity, which may contribute to the plant's ability to adapt to diverse ecological niches and influence the stability of its medicinal phytochemical profiles. Such cytogenetic diversity plays a critical role in the species' reproductive biology and its capacity for genetic recombination.

Chromosome number :

20, 22, 28

Life history

The life history of Corymbia citriodora is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence in its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, the plant directs its growth upward, maintaining its photosynthetic structures on woody branches elevated above the ground, which serves as its primary life form. Throughout its existence, it maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present year-round rather than shedding leaves seasonally. This combination of a perennial lifecycle, a phanerophyte growth habit, and evergreen foliage enables the species to sustain continuous biological activity and structural stability over many years.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Corymbia citriodora is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree that functions as a self-supporting growth form. This species is strictly terrestrial, neither aquatic nor epiphytic, and maintains an independent existence as it is not a parasite. In terms of physical dimensions, it exhibits significant vertical growth, with plant heights typically ranging from a minimum of 25 m to a maximum of 50 m, reaching an average height of approximately 36.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

50 m

Plant height mean:

36.5 m

Plant height min:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Corymbia citriodora is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a non-nitrogen-fixing metabolic structure. Its vegetative morphology features elliptic leaves that exhibit significant dimensional variability; the average leaf length is 12.5 cm, ranging from a minimum of 7 cm to a maximum of 23 cm, while the leaf width averages 1 cm, spanning from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. Furthermore, the plant demonstrates substantial structural integrity through its wood density, maintaining a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 968 mg/cm³.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

23 cm

Leaf length mean:

12.5 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width mean:

1 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

968 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Corymbia citriodora is characterized by a complex flowering and fruiting cycle driven by biotic pollination and anemochorous dispersal. The plant produces white flowers arranged in an umbel inflorescence, which typically ranges in length from a minimum of 0.003 m to a maximum of 0.004 m. The flowering period generally begins in April and concludes in August. Pollination is primarily a biotic process, specifically involving insects such as bees, which facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops fruit in the form of a dehiscent capsule. These capsules vary in size, with an average length of 1.1 cm (ranging from 0.7 cm to 1.5 cm) and an average width of 0.9 cm (ranging from 0.7 cm to 1.2 cm). Upon maturity, the capsules dehisce to release seeds that exhibit an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning they are dispersed by the wind. The seeds are quite small, possessing a mean mass of approximately 0.0047891665 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.00332 g to a maximum of 0.00917 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

white

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

1.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.1 cm

Fruit length min:

0.7 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

1.2 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.9 cm

Fruit width min:

0.7 cm

Inflorescence :

umbel

Inflorescence length max:

0.004 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.003 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.00917 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0047891665 g

Seed mass min:

0.00332 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Corymbia citriodora has 1 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Analytical chemistry
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
3. Metabolites
4. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters
5. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

Chemicals

Corymbia citriodora has 99 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Citronellol, CITRONELLAL, Isopulegol, 1,8-Cineole, Citronellyl acetate.

Citronellol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal de mycologie medicale
3. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)
4. Foodborne pathogens and disease
5. Journal of natural products

CITRONELLAL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal de mycologie medicale
3. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)
4. Heliyon
5. Foodborne pathogens and disease

Isopulegol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal de mycologie medicale
3. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
4. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)
5. Journal of natural products

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke
2. Heliyon
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Citronellyl acetate

1. Dr. Duke
2. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)
3. Planta medica

Bicyclogermacrene

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica

Caryophyllene

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica

Citronellol acetate

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Eucalyptol

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Journal of natural products

Linalool

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Activities

Corymbia citriodora has 413 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientific reports

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientific reports

Antimicrobial

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientific reports

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientific reports

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

5-HT-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Corymbia citriodora has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Candida albicans, antiviral.

Candida albicans

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Scientific reports

Preparations

Corymbia citriodora has 13 reported preparations identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oils, essential oil, kino, EOs, Essential oil.

Essential oils

1. Tropical biomedicine
2. Journal of the science of food and agriculture
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Scientific reports

Essential oil

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)
2. Foodborne pathogens and disease
3. Journal of natural products

Kino

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Natural product research

Eos

1. Heliyon

Essential oil

1. Journal de mycologie medicale

Essential oils from the leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Etoac fraction

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Biocoa

1. Bioresource technology

Ethanol extract of eucalyptus citriodora

1. Metabolites

Leaf extracts

1. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology