Trifoliate Orange (Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.)
Also known as hardy orange; also classified as Citrus trifoliata.
↑Summary
The most cold-hardy species of citrus. Native to East Asia, this plant has been introduced widely in North America, mostly in the south-central to southeastern US, where it is often considered invasive.
↑Uses
This plant is uncommonly grown as a landscaping plant. It is sometimes used as a barrier hedge, where it is valued for its tough thorns.
This species is sometimes used as rootstock onto which other, less cold-hardy citrus is grafted. This can sometimes be used to allow these citrus to be grown slightly farther north than they would normally be able to survive.
The fruit are bitter and usually somewhat dry and are not eaten, but can be made into marmelade or used as a seasoning.
The fruits also have uses in traditional Chinese medicine.
↑Related Plants
This species is often classified in the Citrus genus, and is closely related to other citrus. There are no citrus native to North America, but several other species and cultivated hybrids have become established in the wild, in the southern limit of this plant's range.
↑Links & External Resources
• Poncirus trifoliata (Trifoliate Orange) | USDA PLANTS Database (About This Site)
• Trifoliate Orange | iNaturalist (About This Site)
• Poncirus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) | Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder (About This Site)
• Trifoliate Orange | Virginia Tech Dendrology Factsheets (About This Site)
• Poncirus trifoliata | NatureServe Explorer (About This Site)
• Hardy Orange | Maryland Biodiversity Project (About This Site)
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