Citronella mucronata

Citronella mucronata, the huillipatagua (Spanish pronunciation: [wiʝipaˈtaɣwa]), naranjillo, or Chilean citronella tree, is an evergreen tree in the family Cardiopteridaceae. It is endemic to Chile and grows in the Chilean matorral region of central Chile from 30º to 40° south latitude.

Description

A tree. It grows 10 m tall. The bark is dark grey and rough. The leaves are alternate and leathery. They are oval or oblong and end in a sharp tip. They can have teeth along the edge. The leaves are 5-6 cm long and 3-4 cm wide. The flowers are white to yellow and in groups 4-8 cm long at the end of branches. The fruit is round and 1-1.2 cm across. They are purple when ripe.

Edible Uses

The dried leaves are occasionally used as a tea. The fruit is eaten.

Traditional Uses

The dried leaves are occasionally used as a tea.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The dried leaves are traditionally used as a tea.

Distribution

A tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Brazil, Chile, South America,

Cultivation

They can be grown from seed. Seed need to be sown fresh.

Notes

Also put in the family Icacinaceae.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Huillipatagua

References (7)

• Edinburgh New Philos. J. 13:243. 1832
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 122
• Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 680 (As Villaresia congonha)
• Morley, B.D., & Toelken, H.R., (Eds), 1983, Flowering Plants in Australia. Rigby. p 222 (As Citronella gongonha)
• Saez, F. A., et al, 2017, Physiochemical and antibacterial characterization of fruits of Citronella mucronata (Cardiopteridaceae), Pitavia punctata (Rutaceae) and Beilschmiedia berteroana (Lauraceae), three endemic and threatened Chilean trees. Fruits 72 (2) 87-96

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