Practical
Plants

Melicope ternata

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rutaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
6 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Self

Uses

Edible uses

The plant yields an edible gum that is used for chewing[8][9][2][3]. It sweetens the breath[2].

Product or use
Gum

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Antihalitosis[2].

Product or use
Antihalitosis

Environment

Range
New Zealand.
Habitat
Coastal to lowland forest, especially marginal, North and South Islands south to latitude 41° 30' south[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 10+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[5]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[5].

Cultivation

An easily grown plant, but it only succeeds outdoors on a sunny wall in the warmest areas of Britain[1][4]. It requires a sandy freely-draining lime-free soil and a position sheltered from hot drying winds[5]. Plants are not very frost hardy and are often defoliated in cold winters[6]. They are best grown in pots that are put outdoors in the summer and brought into a conservatory for the winter[5]. The bruised leaves have a pungent smell of oranges[6].

References

  1. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

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  2. Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  4. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  7. Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00

    ↩

  8. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  9. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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