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.

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. Fragrant white flowers (5-petaled) appear in clusters in late spring. Flowers are followed by small, hard, bitter, inedible fruits (oranges) that mature in fall to a bright orange color.

Cultivation and uses

The Trifoliate orange is widely used as a rootstock for grapefruit, lemon, kumquat, mandarin orange, and orange due to its cold hardiness and resistance to Citrus tristeza virus. It is also used as an ornamental plant for its interesting foliage and fruit, and as a barrier plant due to its thorny nature.

See also

• Citrus
• Rutaceae
• Grapefruit
• Lemon
• Kumquat
• Mandarin orange
• Orange (fruit)

Trifoliate orange Resources
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