Flying Dragon Bitter Orange

Description:

Leaves are palmately compound with three leaflets comprising the total leaf, hence, Trifoliate Orange. The flowers are white, measure around 2” across, and have a sweet fragrance. The bright orange fruit is about the size of a ping-pong ball and is very sour. A native of China, it was introduced to the U.S. horticultural market in 1850. The vigorous hardy rootstock is used in propagation as grafting understock for its sun kissed cousins in the Sunshine State. The

Habitat:

Wildlife habitat yard.

Notes:

Immature fruits and dried mature fruits are used medicinally in China. In southern Germany, fruit juice after two weeks' storage is used to make a flavoring syrup, the peel is candied and used as a spice, and is a source of pectin. The plant is much grown as an ornamental in cool areas of Europe, Asia and North America. In Brazil, it is valued as a protective hedge against animals and human trespassers. Seedlings are important in most citrus-growing areas as rootstocks for various Citrus and related species.