Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Mediterranean |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Tree with an irregular growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Young foliage is initially purple, gradually turning green. Leaves are ovate to lanceolate with toothed leaf margins. |
| Flowers | Purplish white flowers are produced in clusters or solitary, mildly fragrant. |
| Fruit | Yellow, acidic fruits may be round to oval-shaped with an apical mammilla (nipple-shaped structure on the end attached to the branch). |
| Cultivation | Lemon trees are adapted to and grow best in Mediterranean climates. In humid, tropical climates, they become prone to fungal and algal diseases, produce lower quality fruit with coarse peels, and tend to adopt an unwieldy growth habit. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits, Edible Leaves Food (Fruit or Vegetable): Lemon juice is widely used in many drinks, ice creams and other desserts. The outmost layer of the rind, zest, is used to flavor pies, cakes and other sweets. Its leaves are used in cooking as well. (Herb or Spice) |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Fruits |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Purple |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering, A Few Times Yearly |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
| Flower Colour(s) Remarks | Purplish White |
| Flowering Period Remarks | Trees tend to be free-flowering in cool, coastal climates, but tend to flower twice a year in Mediterranean climates. |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|
References
| References | Davies, F.S. & L.G. Albrigo. 1994. Citrus. UK: CAB International. 254 pp. Lindsay, S. et al. (2022). Flora of Singapore: Checklist and bibliography. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore 74(Suppl. 1): 3–860. |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29362 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3671 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
