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Lemon Scented Myrtle
Doing well at Wharepuke is an attractive smaller growing tree from the coastal east coast of Australia, from Brisbane to Mackay, called Backhousia citriodora.
Backhousia is named after James Backhouse (1794 – 1869) a nurseryman, plant collector and Quaker missionary, citriodora means lemon – scented.
The oval to lance shaped leaves of the Backhousia are a fresh green and sometimes hairy underneath. When crushed they smell strongly of lemon which is due to the large amount of citral oil present.
The flowers are produced in large clusters on long stems and are much favoured by bees and many other insects.
When young the plant can be frost tender so plant in a protected position such as near other trees if there is a danger of frost. It also prefers a reasonably well drained soil
The plant tends to be bushy with flowering occurring down to the ground where if branches touch they can sometimes root.
The leaves can be used fresh as a refreshing tea and used in cooking as a substitute for lemon grass in many dishes. They can be also used to give a lemon flavour to milk dishes as it doesn’t curdle milk as lemons do. It gives a good flavour to icecream. The leaves can be dried and powdered and used as a condiment. When used in cooking only use a small quantity as it can be too dominant a flavour. Add in the last ten minutes or so, as longer heating will tend to drive off the lemon flavour.
There are six other species and B. anisata gives a good aniseed flavour.
The Fried Egg Tree or Snuff Box Tree
One shrubby plant growing on the hillside garden that I often get questioned about is Oncoba spinosa, a slightly rambling, bushy plant that always has fruit on it. These fruit create comment as they look as if they should be edible but people pick them up and find they are very hard. About the size and weight and feel of a cricket ball, the skin is yellow when the fruit is ripe. When the fruit is broken open orange, sweetish flesh similar to pumpkin is exposed under a hard gourd-like skin. I have found that the numerous small seeds are slightly bitter when chewed on. In the plants native habitat of Africa the fruits are eaten by the local populations during drought times and the roots and leaves are used medicinally.
 
The flowers which are most abundant in the spring are about 5cm across and are white with yellow stamens looking much like a camellia. They are scented at night.
Oncoba have sharp, straight 5cm spines over many of the branches and are planted around corrals to protect the animals inside.
Very drought tolerant, Oncoba can stand light frost and do appreciate free draining soils and full sun.
The Snuff Box name comes from the gourd-like shell of the dried fruit which is cleaned out and used as a snuff box. Another use for the shell is to take out the flesh, put a few stones inside then seal the hole with a peg to make a rattle for music and tied to the ankle for dancing. An African shop that was in Newmarket had them for sale with the sign saying “We don’t know what these are for but they are $3” The rattles had been ornamented with poker work and were quite attractive. Maybe a new industry for Northland as the plant grows well here!!!!!
On www.fengshuiserver.com it lists Oncoba flowers as “Fragrant white cup-shaped flower with multiple stamens, yellow colour at the centre represents mental chastity”
Cecropia or Snakewood.
A tree which always pleases those who like huge palmate or umbrella-like leaves, the Cecropia (Cecropia palmata from Central and South America and the West Indies) has leaves up to 1 metre across on younger trees. As the tree starts branching the leaves become a little smaller. In its homeland it is one of the first trees to establish when a forest giant falls. In its own right it is a relatively short lived tree. In the tropics it can grow to 15m or more high, though it is much slower and smaller in New Zealand.
Cecropias are named after Cecrops the builder and first king of Athens which was originally named Cecropia. In their native lands many of the species are in a symbiotic relationship with fierce biting ants which cut a hole into the hollow stems where they make a comfortable home. The tree also supplies them a nourishing exudation from a special area. at the base of the leaves. In exchange the ants keep away all other insects from eating or cutting the leaves particularly Leaf Cutting Ants. The only animal that ignores these ants is a sloth who feeds almost exclusively on this trees leaves, buds and fruit. No ants live in the plants in New Zealand.
The stems are very curious in their construction when they are young and vigorously growing. They consist of a series of wooden “tin cans” set end to end then wrapped in a layer of bark. (A stem which was killed by frost finally fell to pieces to show us all its “tin cans”). This gives great strength and lightness. As the stem gets older the wood then starts to thicken.
For the garden this is a quick growing tree with huge leaves, the back of which is silver. This silveryness stands out as the leaves move in the wind. As the tree tends to have a tall trunk it can be gardened under quite happily.
It is very frost tender and also needs free draining soils. Come and have a look at the two growing in our garden.
A “what is it” question.
The photo is of a very distinctive seed capsule from what will grow into a bigger tree. When the seed is dispersed a most unusual form of opening happens to the capsule as is shown in the photos. If you know email me wharepuke@xtra.co.nz
 
Young seed pod Open seed pod
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