 Australian Native Foods
Plant Profiles
Lemon Aspen
 Common Names & Species:
Lemon Aspen (Acronychia acidula) and white aspen, southern lemon aspen (Acronychia oblongifolia).
Native To:
Highland rainforests from central to north Qld.
Lemon Aspen (A.acidula). Coastal regions from Victoria, New South Wales through to Queensland. Acronychia acidula is found in tropical and tableland forests of northern Queensland.
Acronychia oblongifolia is found from northern Victoria to Southern Queensland (temperate coastal regions and sub-tropical shorelines).
Natural rainfall greater than 600mm.
>> Virtual Herbarium  Habit:
A. acidula – an ornamental tree to 15 metres. Width to 2 metres.
A. oblongifolia - Small to medium rainforest to 14 metres. Dense tree with attractive dark green foliage. Leaves have numerous obvious oil glands that emit a pleasant citrus smell when crushed.
Part Used:
Fruit.
Colour: small yellow fruit.
Appearance:
approximately 20-25 mm in diameter with small dark seeds encased in husks as in apples.
Flavour:
Spicy citrus aroma and a strong, acidic lemon flavour.
 Food Use:
For citrus-type flavour in sweet and savoury products.
Current Retail Product Categories:
Simmer sauces, chutneys & relishes, aspen flavoured mineral water.
Food Quality & Safety Issues:
Currently there is no industry-wide product description or quality standards developed or published for this crop, though individual market channel groups are likely to be working to in-house standards
Crop collection, production and handling systems will eventually require the implementation of HACCP-based food safety systems. Wild Harvest/Cultivated Supplies:
Most fruit comes from the wild, with little or no cultivated supply currently available.
Wild Harvest Locations:
Central to north Qld rainforests.
Cultivation Locations:
Small scale production in northern NSW and along Qld coasts.
Approx Wholesale ('Farm Gate') Prices:
Whole frozen $26/kg.
Current Volumes Traded:
Around 6-12 tonnes per annum (2001).
Other Links:
 This Australian Native Foods Web site is jointly supported by RIRDC and CSIRO.
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