Lemon aspen
Acronychia acidula
Pale little fruit with a grapefruit-and-lime kick that chefs fight over.
Hardiness: zones 10 to 12
Light: part shade
Size: about 40 ft tall, 15 ft wide
Harvest: November to December
From: Rainforests of north Queensland
Here: Too tender to overwinter outdoors on the Lake Erie shore (zone 6b to 7a): grow it in a pot and bring it in, or treat it as an annual.
Good for: food, wildlife.
Native to: Australia. Hardy in zones 10 to 12.
The story
Lemon aspen is a rainforest tree of far north Queensland, long eaten by the rainforest peoples of that country. Its flavor carries well beyond its size, and it has become a signature of modern Australian cooking.
Planting
Sun or part shade, shelter and rich, moist soil in a frost-free climate.
Growing
Water well and mulch. Prune to keep the fruit in reach.
Harvest and use
Pale yellow fruit in winter, very sour and aromatic. Juice it or use it whole in dressings, curds, sauces and drinks. It freezes well.
What to watch for
Frost and drying wind.
See if Lemon aspen fits your yard
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More tropical and subtropical food plants
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home