Practical
Plants

Citrus sinensis

Sweet Orange

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Citrus genus in the family Rutaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rutaceae
Genus
Citrus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
9 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Apomictic, Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw. Sweet and delicious[1][10][11][12]. The juice is often extracted from the fruit and sold as a refreshing and healthy drink or used in jellies, ice cream etc[3]. The rind of the fruit is often used as a flavouring in cakes etc or made into marmalade[1][11][3]. Flowers - cooked as a vegetable or made into a tea[3].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea
Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Fruit

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Citrus species contain a wide range of active ingredients and research is still underway in finding uses for them. They are rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, acids and volatile oils. They also contain coumarins such as bergapten which sensitizes the skin to sunlight. Bergapten is sometimes added to tanning preparations since it promotes pigmentation in the skin, though it can cause dermatitis or allergic responses in some people[6]. Some of the plants more recent applications are as sources of anti-oxidants and chemical exfoliants in specialized cosmetics[6]. The fruit is appetizer and blood purifier[7]. It is used to allay thirst in people with fevers and also treats catarrh[7]. The fruit juice is useful in the treatment of bilious affections and bilious diarrhoea[7]. The fruit rind is carminative and tonic[7]. The fresh rind is rubbed on the face as a cure for acne[7]. The dried peel is used in the treatment of anorexia, colds, coughs etc[5].

Product or use
Appetizer
Product or use
Blood purifier
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Miscellany
Product or use
Skin
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A semi-drying oil obtained from the seed is used in soap making[11][12]. An essential oil from the peel is used as a food flavouring and also in perfumery and medicines[1][11][12].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Oil

Environment

Range
Original range is obscure, possible Asia in southern China and Vietnam.
Habitat
Original habitat is obscure, possibly an introgressed hybrid of C. maxima x C. reticulata[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed is best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it ripe after thoroughly rinsing it[2][4]. Sow stored seed in March in a greenhouse[10]. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 13°c. Seedlings are liable to damp off so they must be watered with care and kept well ventilated. The seed is usually polyembrionic, two or more seedlings arise from each seed and they are genetically identical to the parent but they do not usually carry any virus that might be present in the parent plant[4]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least three growing seasons before trying them outdoors. Plant them out in the summer and give them some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Layering in October.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moderately heavy loam with a generous amount of compost and sand added and a very sunny position[1][4]. Prefers a pH between 5 and 6[4]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.3 to 8.3. Plants are intolerant of water logging[10]. When growing plants in pots, a compost comprising equal quantities of loam and leafmould plus a little charcoal should produce good results[9]. Do not use manure since Citrus species dislike it[9]. When watering pot plants it is important to neither overwater or underwater since the plant will soon complain by turning yellow and dying. Water only when the compost is almost dry, but do not allow it to become completely dry[9]. The sweet orange is widely grown for its edible fruit in warm temperate and tropical zones, there are many named varieties[3]. In Britain it can be grown in a pot placed outdoors in the summer and brought into a greenhouse during the winter[10]. Plants are almost hardy in the mildest areas of Britain[1] but the fruit is insipid if it is developed when the mean temperature is below 18°c[10]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. The flowers are sweetly scented[8]. Plants dislike root disturbance and so should be placed into their permanent positions when young. If growing them in pots, great care must be exercised when potting them on into larger containers[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  2. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  5. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩

  6. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  9. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  11. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  12. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2↩3

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