Its leaves have three leaflets (hence ternata) and are aromatic, releasing a smell reminiscent of basil when crushed.

[3] Choisya ternata is widely grown as an ornamental shrub in suitable climates.

[3] In addition to the species, a number of cultivars are grown, including the golden-leaved C. ternata 'Lich' (usually sold under the name Sundance),[4] and the inter-specific hybrid C. 'Aztec Pearl' (C. dumosa var.

[5] The species and these two cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

[6] C. ternata contains an alkaloid (ternanthranin), a volatile simple anthranilate, that was shown to have pain-killing effects in mice.