hardy orange
Family
RutaceaeScientific Name
Poncirus trifoliata
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Citrus trifoliata
Habit
Trifoliate orange is a deciduous shrub armed with vicious spines and will survive temperatures as low as 20C. It grows in UK, producing small yellow and slightly furry oranges' due to the presence of a bitter oil called Ponciridin.
Leaves
Leaves of trifoliate orange are trifoliately compound, alternate and deciduous. They have ovate to round leaflets and a green-winged rachis.
Identifying Characteristics
Trifoliate orange can be used as hedging material. It does not seem to mind being cut back. It is perfectly hardy weed plant.
Flower Seed Head
Flowers are in white clusters before the leaves in trifoliate orange.
Seed Fruit
Fruit is a yellow orange with a sticky skin. It is very bitter, but can be used in drinks.
Where Found
Trifoliate orange is a shrub or a small tree that has naturalized in woodlands and fencerows in the southeastern U.S.
Growth Habit
woody bush or tree
Thorns or Spines
present
Approximate Flower Diameter
dime
Dominant Flower Color
white
Flower Symmetry
bilateral symmetry
Leaf Hairs
no hairs
Leaf Shape
oval
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
wavy
Leaf Structure
trifoliate
Leaf Stalk
shorter than leaf
Stem Hairs
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Life Cycle
perennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Shrub