Choisya

Encyclopedia : C : CH : CHO : Choisya

Choisya (Starleaf or Mexican Orange) is a small genus of aromatic evergreen shrubs in the family Rutaceae, native to southern North America from the southwest United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas) and south through most of Mexico.

The species grow to 1-3 m tall. The leaves are opposite, leathery, glossy, palmately compound with 3-13 leaflets, each leaflet 3-8 cm long and 0.5-3.5 cm broad. The flowers are star-shaped, 3-5 cm diameter, with 4-7 white petals, 8-15 stamens and a green stigma; they are produced throughout the late spring and summer. The fruit is a leathery two to six sectioned capsule.

The name 'Starleaf' refers to the palmate leaves, while 'Mexican Orange' refers to its flowers being similar to those of the closely related Orange, both in shape and scent.

The species vary in the number and shape of the leaflets, with three broad leaflets in C. ternata, and up to 13 very narrow leaflets in C. dumosa.

Cultivation and uses

Choisya is a popular ornamental plant in areas with mild winters, grown for its strongly aromatic foliage and flowers. The flowers are also vaued for bee forage, producing abundant nectar.

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