It is endemic to subtropical rainforests of central and south-eastern Queensland, Australia, with a natural distribution from Mackay to Brisbane.
Other common names are sweet verbena tree, sweet verbena myrtle, lemon scented verbena, and lemon scented backhousia.
The citral chemotype is more prevalent and is cultivated in Australia for flavouring and essential oil.
Citral as an isolate in steam distilled lemon myrtle oil is typically 90 to 98%, and oil yield 1to 3% from fresh leaf.
It is the highest natural source of citral.
The citronellal chemotype is uncommon, and can be used as an insect repellent.
Indigenous Australians have long used lemon myrtle, both in cuisine and as a healing plant.
The oil has the highest citral purity; typically higher than lemongrass.
It is also considered to have a cleaner and sweeter aroma than comparable sources of citral–lemongrass and Litsea cubeba.
Lemon myrtle essential oil possesses antimicrobial properties, however the undiluted essential oil is toxic to human cells in vitro.