Trifoliate orange

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Trifoliate Orange

Trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata), also known as Japanese bitter-orange, hardy orange or Chinese bitter orange, is a member of the family Rutaceae, closely related to Citrus, and sometimes included in that genus, being sufficiently closely related to allow it to be used as a rootstock for Citrus.

Pronunciation

Tri-fo-li-ate Or-ange

Etymology

The term "trifoliate" refers to the three-part leaves, a rare trait in the Citrus family. "Orange" refers to the fruit's color when ripe. The species name, trifoliata, also refers to the three-part leaves.

Description

The trifoliate orange is a deciduous shrub or small tree that typically grows 8-15' (less frequently to 20') tall. It is native to northern China and Korea. It is noted for its trifoliate (three-parted) leaves and its prickly stems. The plant is covered with broad, long, straight, strong spines. Leaves, which appear in late spring, are trifoliate (with three leaflets).

Cultivation and Uses

The trifoliate orange is widely used as a rootstock for grapefruit, lemon, kumquat, mandarin orange, and sweet orange trees. The fruit is too bitter to be eaten fresh, but can be made into marmalade. And the dried fruit has medicinal uses.

Related Terms

  • Citrus: A genus of flowering trees and shrubs in the rue family, Rutaceae.
  • Grapefruit: A subtropical citrus tree known for its relatively large sour to semi-sweet, somewhat bitter fruit.
  • Lemon: A species of small evergreen tree in the flowering plant family Rutaceae, native to South Asia.
  • Kumquat: A group of small fruit-bearing trees in the flowering plant family Rutaceae.
  • Mandarin Orange: A small citrus tree with fruit resembling other oranges.
  • Sweet Orange: A fruit of the citrus species Citrus × sinensis in the family Rutaceae.

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