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Choisya ternata
  • Mexican Orange Flower

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Choisya genus in the family Rutaceae.

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Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Hedge
    Hedge
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 7
    Zone 7
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210

Uses

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Choisya ternata.

Material uses

Plants can be grown as an informal hedge, they also respond well to clipping and so can be grown in a more formal manner[1].
There are no material uses listed for Choisya ternata.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Choisya ternata.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Hedge

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a 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.

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 6 - 8cm long, early July in gentle heat in individual pots in a frame[3][4]. High percentage[4].

Cuttings of almost ripe wood, 10 - 15cm with a heel, August in a frame. Good percentage. Plant out in spring[4].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Choisya ternata. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires an open sunny but sheltered position[3]. Plants can be damaged by cold winds[5]. Plants grow equally well whether in full sun or in deep shade[6]. They succeed in most soils[6], but prefer a rather light loam[7][3]. They require a well-drained soil, tolerating drought once established and atmospheric pollution[8].

A very ornamental plant[7], it usually survives very severe winters in Britain but can be damaged in spells of lesser cold, especially in the New Year[3]. Plants are normally undamaged at temperatures around -10°c but can be defoliated at -15°c[8]. Whole branches have a habit of dying for no apparent reason[9]. The Mexican orange flower is moderately fast growing when young, but it soon slows down with age[6]. The plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut right back to the ground if required[6]. Pruning is generally unnecessary for this species, apart from cutting out frost-damaged wood[5]. Some named forms have been selected for their ornamental value[10]. The flowers appear mainly in late spring[10][5], but plants can produce a few flowers in the autumn[10]. They often also flower intermittently all through the summer[5]. The flowers are borne at the shoot tips[5]. The crushed foliage has a pungent aromatic scent of oranges[6][11] and the flowers are sweetly fragrant with the powerful aroma of orange blossom[5][11].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Choisya ternata. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Choisya ternata.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Choisya ternata
Genus
Choisya
Family
Rutaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
[1]
Botanic
[3][2]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Hedge
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
moderate
Mature Size
3 x 3 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Insects
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

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"image:Choisya ternata 7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Choisya ternata 7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Choisya ternata 7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Choisya ternata 7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Choisya ternata 7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Choisya ternata 7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Choisya ternata 7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Choisya ternata 7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Choisya ternata 7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Choisya ternata 7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Choisya ternata 7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Choisya ternata 7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. ISBN 0900629649 (1974-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (1983-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.4 Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. ISBN 0-670-82929-3 (1990-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
  9. ? Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.2 Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)

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"image:Choisya ternata 7.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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Facts about "Choisya ternata"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyRutaceae +
Belongs to genusChoisya +
Functions asHedge +
Has binomial nameChoisya ternata +
Has common nameMexican Orange Flower +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has environmental toleranceDrought +
Has fertility typeInsects +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has growth rateModerate +
Has hardiness zone7 +
Has imageChoisya ternata 7.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has mature height3 +
Has mature width3 +
Has primary imageChoisya ternata 7.jpg +
Has search namechoisya ternata + and mexican orange flower +
Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameChoisya ternata +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedYes +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +