Stats

Lifespan: Perennial
Size: Medium
Diet: Photosynthetic
Biome: Temperate shrubland
Range: South America
Movement: Sessile
Breeding: Seeds
Defense: Toxins
Status: Uncommon

About

A woody shrub native to South America whose long lance-shaped leaves release an intensely lemony fragrance when crushed. Its essential oil is up to 35% citral — one of the strongest citrus scents of any plant — making it prized in herbal teas and perfumery.

Life cycle

1.
seed
A dormant seed waits for water and warmth before germinating.
2.
sprout
A first shoot emerges with cotyledon leaves and a tap root reaching down.
3.
sapling
A young plant grows true leaves and a stem or trunk, putting on height each season.
4.
mature
Fully grown, flowering or fruiting at adult size.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Lamiales
Family: Verbenaceae
Genus: Aloysia
Species: Aloysia citrodora