Mexican orange blossom

Description:

Choisya is a small genus of aromatic evergreen shrubs in the rue family, Rutaceae. Members of the genus are commonly known as Mexican orange or mock orange, due to the similarity of their flowers with those of the closely related orange, both in shape and scent. They are native to southern North America, from Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and south through most of Mexico. Choisya species are popular ornamental plants in areas with mild winters, grown primarily for their abundant and fragrant flowers. The foliage is aromatic, smelling of rue when bruised or cut and the flowers are valued for honeybee forage, producing abundant nectar. Spotted at Eastbourne, Wellington NZ.