trifoliate orange
Citrus trifoliata
Unlike most citrus, this species is deciduous and its fruit contains a high amount of poncirin, making it incredibly bitter and seedy.
- Scientific name
- Citrus trifoliata
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Sapindales › Rutaceae › Citrus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Woodland edges, deciduous forests, and abandoned agricultural lands.
- Diet
- Photosynthetic; requires sunlight, water, and soil nutrients.
- Range
- China, Korea, Japan, United States, Europe
- Size
- 3 to 6 meters in height
- Lifespan
- 25-50 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Land development in native ranges; managed as an invasive species in some non-native regions.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless but physically defensive. The 1-2 inch thorns are extremely sharp and can easily puncture skin or clothing. Maintain a safe distance when walking through thickets. If punctured, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water to prevent infection.
The trifoliate orange , Citrus trifoliata or Poncirus trifoliata , is a member of the family Rutaceae in the Citrus genus. Whether the species should be considered to belong to its own genus, Poncirus or included in the genus Citrus is debated. The species is unusual in Citrus for having deciduous, compound leaves and pubescent (downy) fruit.
Photo: Kim, Hyun-tae, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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