Synonyms: Choricarpia APNI*
Description: Trees or shrubs.
Leaves opposite, venation obvious, petiolate.
Inflorescences axillary or terminal, variable. Flowers 4- or 5-merous. Sepals often prominent, sometimes petaloid, persistent in fruit. Petals usually shorter than sepals, persistent in fruit. Stamens numerous, free in several whorls; anthers versatile. Ovary half-inferior, 2-locular; ovules few, arranged in a U-shape on an axile placenta; style long, stigma not dilated.
Fruit indehiscent or rarely schizocarpic, thin-walled; seeds depressed-ovoid, usually only 1 or 2 per fruit.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 8 species, endemic Australia. Australia: Qld, N.S.W.
B. citriodora F. Muell., the Lemon Ironwood, is often cultivated as an ornamental tree; its leaves are strongly lemon-scented when crushed.
Choricarpia is now included in Backhousia.
Text by Peter G. Wilson, updated 15 Apr. 2020 Taxon concept:
| Key to the species | |
1 | Peduncles 15–30 mm long; stamens 4–8 mm long, more or less glabrous | Choricarpia leptopetala |
| Peduncles 4–10 mm long; stamens 2–4 mm long, tomentose | Choricarpia subargentea |
|