Lemon aspen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lemon aspen |
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Acronychia
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| Species: |
acidula
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The lemon aspen (also called lemon wood) is a small to medium-sized tree that grows in the rainforests of Queensland, Australia. Its scientific name is Acronychia acidula. This tree is special because it only grows in this part of the world, which means it is endemic to Queensland.
The lemon aspen has simple, oval-shaped leaves. It also grows small groups of flowers where the leaves meet the stem. The tree produces round, flavorful fruit that tastes a bit sour. This fruit is often picked and used as a traditional bushfood by Indigenous Australians.
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What does the Lemon Aspen look like?
The lemon aspen tree can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching about 27 meters (about 89 feet) high. Its leaves are smooth and shiny, measuring between 80 to 235 millimeters (about 3 to 9 inches) long. They are also 43 to 120 millimeters (about 1.7 to 4.7 inches) wide. Each leaf has a stem called a petiole that is 20 to 70 millimeters (about 0.8 to 2.8 inches) long. If you crush the leaves, they often smell like mangoes.
The flowers of the lemon aspen grow in small groups, about 30 to 100 millimeters (about 1.2 to 3.9 inches) long. These groups appear where the leaves join the stem, or sometimes between the leaves. Each flower sits on a small stem called a pedicel, which is 2 to 4 millimeters (about 0.08 to 0.16 inches) long.
Each flower has four small leaf-like parts called sepals, which are 2 to 2.5 millimeters long. It also has four petals, which are 7 to 8.5 millimeters long. Inside the flower, there are eight stamens (the parts that produce pollen) that are different lengths. The fruit is a juicy, round drupe (a fruit with a hard pit inside) that is 13 to 16 millimeters (about 0.5 to 0.6 inches) long. The seeds inside are about 4.5 millimeters (about 0.18 inches) long.
How did the Lemon Aspen get its name?
The lemon aspen was first officially described in 1864 by a botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller. He was a state botanist for Victoria, Australia. He wrote about the tree in his book Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae. The specimens he studied were collected by John Dallachy near Rockingham Bay.
The scientific name for the species, acidula, comes from a Latin word. It means "slightly acid" or "a little sour," which perfectly describes the taste of the fruit!
Where does the Lemon Aspen grow?
Lemon aspen trees grow in rainforests in Queensland, Australia. You can find them at heights of up to 1,000 meters (about 3,280 feet) above sea level. Their natural range stretches from the Atherton Tableland down to the Eungella Range.
Lemon Aspen in Nature
The fruit of the lemon aspen tree is a food source for some animals. For example, the topknot pigeon (Lopholaimus antarcticus) enjoys eating these fruits.
What is the Lemon Aspen used for?
The fruit of the lemon aspen has a unique flavor. It tastes like a mix between grapefruit and lime. Because of its delicious and tangy taste, it's often used in drinks, sauces, and candies.
The fruit is also known for having high antioxidant activity. Antioxidants are good for your body because they help protect your cells from damage.
Can you grow Lemon Aspen?
Yes, the lemon aspen tree is grown on a small scale in special orchards. These orchards focus on growing native Australian foods, often called "bushfoods." You can find these orchards along the east coast of Australia, from North Queensland to northern New South Wales.
The lemon aspen tree grows quickly. To make it easier to pick the fruit, growers often prune the tree regularly. This keeps it at a good height for harvesting. The tree produces a moderate amount of fruit and starts bearing fruit about four years after being planted as a seedling. It grows best in soil that drains well and is rich in nutrients, like clay loam. It also likes sunny spots and needs extra water when it's young.
See also
In Spanish: Limón aspen para niños
