Xymalos

Taxobox
name = "Xymalos"

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image_caption = Plate 121 from The Forests and Forest Flora of The Colony of the Cape of Good Hope
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Laurales
familia = Monimiaceae
genus = "Xymalos"
genus_authority = Baill.
species = "X. monospora"
binomial = "Xymalos monospora"
binomial_authority = 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.