Fortunella margarita

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Fortunella margarita

Fortunella margarita (pronunciation: for-tu-nel-la mar-ga-ri-ta), commonly known as the kumquat or the oval kumquat, is a small fruit-bearing tree in the family Rutaceae. The term "Fortunella margarita" is derived from the Latin words "Fortunella", named after Robert Fortune who introduced the kumquat plant to Europe in 1846, and "margarita", which means pearl, referring to the small, round shape of the fruit.

Description

The Fortunella margarita is a small evergreen tree that grows up to 2.5-4.5 meters tall. The leaves are dark glossy green, and the flowers are white, similar to other citrus flowers, and can be solitary or clustered in the leaf-axils. The fruit is edible, oval, about 3 cm long, and bright orange-yellow when ripe. The fruit has a sweet outer skin and a tart inner flesh.

Cultivation and Uses

The Fortunella margarita is cultivated for its fruit in many parts of the world, including Asia, Europe, and North America. The fruit can be eaten raw, used in cooking, and made into marmalade. It is also used in traditional medicine for its high vitamin C content and potential antioxidant properties.

Related Terms

  • Citrus: The genus of flowering plants in the rue family, Rutaceae, to which the kumquat belongs.
  • Rutaceae: The rue family of flowering plants, which includes citrus species and the kumquat.
  • Robert Fortune: A Scottish botanist, plant hunter, and traveler, best known for introducing tea plants from China to India in the 19th century. The genus Fortunella is named in his honor.

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