| Xymalos | |
|---|---|
| Plate 121 from The Forests and Forest Flora of The Colony of the Cape of Good Hope | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta |
| (unranked): | magnoliids |
| Order: | Laurales |
| Family: | Monimiaceae |
| Genus: | Xymalos Baill. |
| Species: | X. monospora |
| Binomial name | |
| Xymalos monospora Harv.-Baill. ex Warr. |
|
Xymalos monospora, commonly known as Lemonwood, is a monotypic species of evergreen tree native to Africa. Xymalos is an Afromontane endemic, and can be found from 900–2700 meters elevation in the highlands of Eastern Africa from Sudan to South Africa, as well as on Mount Cameroon and Bioko in west-central Africa.
Lemonwood is commonly found in escarpment forest and regenerated scrub. Its leaves have a strong lemon scent when crushed. Fragrant yellow flowers appear in spring and are followed by small green capsules that take about a year to ripen.