| Choisya ternata | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Rutaceae |
| Genus: | Choisya |
| Species: | C. ternata |
| Binomial name | |
| Choisya ternata Kunth | |
| Synonyms | |
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Choisya ternata is a species of flowering plant in the family Rutaceae, known as Mexican orange blossom or Mexican orange.
Description
Choisya ternata is an evergreen shrub, growing up to 3 m (10 ft) in height. Its leaves have three leaflets (hence ternata) and are aromatic, releasing a smell reminiscent of basil when crushed. The white flowers are scented, appearing in spring (sometimes with limited repeat flowering in autumn).
Distribution and habitat
Choisya ternata originates from Mexico. It is drought tolerant, preferring well drained soils.
Cultivation
Choisya ternata is widely grown as an ornamental shrub in suitable climates. It tolerates temperatures down to −10 °C (14 °F) but is severely damaged by temperatures lower than −15 °C (5 °F). It responds well to pruning and shaping.
In addition to the species, a number of cultivars are grown, including the golden-leaved C. ternata 'Lich' (usually sold under the name Sundance), and the inter-specific hybrid C. 'Aztec Pearl' (C. dumosa var. arizonica × C. ternata). The species and these two cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Phytochemistry
Many quinoline alkaloids have been isolated from leaves of C. ternata. C. ternata contains an alkaloid (ternanthranin), a volatile simple anthranilate, that was shown to have pain-killing effects in mice.
References
- ^ "Choisya ternata", The Plant List, retrieved 2016-08-02
- "Mexican mock orange - KPU Plant DB". plantdatabase.kpu.ca. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Phillips, Roger & Rix, Martyn (1989), Shrubs, London: Pan Books, p. 35, ISBN 0-330-30258-2
- "Choisya ternata Sundance = 'Lich' (PBR)", Plant Selector, Royal Horticultural Society, archived from the original on 2012-12-24, retrieved 2016-08-02
- "Choisya × dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl'", Plant Selector, Royal Horticultural Society, archived from the original on 2012-12-24, retrieved 2016-08-02
- Boyd, D.R.; Sharma, N.D.; Loke, P.L.; Malone, J.F.; McRoberts, W.C. & Hamilton, J.T.G. (2007), "Synthesis, structure and stereochemistry of quinoline alkaloids from Choisya ternata", Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 5 (18): 2983–91, doi:10.1039/b707576f, PMID 17728865
- Radulović, N.S.; Miltojević, A.B.; McDermott, M.; Waldren, S.; Parnell, J.A.; Pinheiro, M.M.; Fernandes, P.D. & de Sousa Menezes, F. (2011), "Identification of a new antinociceptive alkaloid isopropyl N-methylanthranilate from the essential oil of Choisya ternata Kunth.", Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 135 (3): 610–619, doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.03.035, hdl:2262/55877, PMID 21420481
| Taxon identifiers | |
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| Choisya ternata |
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