Forest freshness

The lemon myrtle bush outside my bedroom window has just begun to flower again.  The early buds are small and green; later they will become large white fluffy balls.  Brushing the leaves brings out their exquisite aroma.

  Backhousia citriodora is a local rainforest tree. 

As well as being hardy and ornamental, it has many uses as a flavouring for food and in cosmetic products.  'More lemony than lemon', the enthusiasts say.

Lemon myrtle leaves are a good substitute for lemon grass, lemon verbena or kaffir lime leaves.   I used some chopped in as flavouring when cooking rice this evening. 

And now I'm sipping on green tea flavoued with the blossom.

Although in the wild they are confined to a narrow stretch of the Eastern coast, I am sure they would thrive in all but the coldest parts of this country. 

You can read more about the tree here

Every Aussie should have one in the garden.  And if you don't have a garden they will grow just fine in a largish pot.

Comments

[elsewhere]

Jude, this might be of interest: http://regnans.blogspot.com/index.html

[Jude]

Thanks El, yet another interesting site to keep an eye on! Your contribution was outstanding - in such contrast to the others.

[elsewhere]

Thanks. I have the advantage of a lot of colour out here, which makes for pretty pictures.

[Tabor]

I love the unique biting flavor of the kaffir lime and actually still have some in my freezer that I am saving for who know what! I will see if one of the lovely lime leaf flavored plants will grow in my sunny corner inside the house when I move in permanently.