Lemon myrtle is an evergreen tree native to eastern Queensland. The fragrant lemon-scented leaves are rich in essential oils composed mainly of the terpene aldehyde, citral. Both the essential oil and phenolic compounds extracted from the leaves are potent antimicrobials and antioxidants. Lemon myrtle is widely used in aromatherapy and body care products and is in demand as a food flavour and beverage. Whilst easy to cultivate at home or in plantations, it has become susceptible to the introduced pathogen myrtle rust, which significantly impacts the yield and productivity in plantations.
Indigenous Plants for Health, Inc. 