Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange)
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) yellow fruit attached to bare branches covered with sharp green thorns.
Botanical names: Citrus trifoliata, Poncirus trifoliata
Common names: Hardy Orange, Trifoliate Orange
Family: Rutaceae
Origin: China
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
USDA Zone: 6a-9b
Plant type: Fruit
Fruit type: Citrus
Plant form: Large bush
Mature height: 5-10 ft
Sun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor; semi-shade
Cold tolerance: Tolerates light freezing to about 30°F for short periods (mature plants). Young plants must be protected.
Watering: Moderate
Flower color: White and off-white
Suitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Foliage: Deciduous
Thorns: Thorny or spiny
Fragrance: Fragrant; perfume plant
Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
Ethnomedical: Ethnomedical plant, traditionally used in folk or indigenous medicineThis is the hardiest close relative of Citrus. It is a deciduous shrub armed with vicious spines and will survive temperatures as low as 0F to -10F. In the USA it certainly grows as far north as Boston, MA (Hardy for zones 5-9). The fruits are like small oranges about 1.5 inches across, very sour, but can be used in conserves and drinks. Watch it through the seasons. In spring it sports white, fragrant flowers. Its summer foliage is shiny and dark green. In autumn it sheds its leaves to show off its glossy-green stems. Fruit, which is very sour, also adds fall interest. It is a great barrier plant and can be trimmed to form a 3-foot hedge. It can also be used as a novelty specimen. It is also used as citrus rootstock.
Similar plants: Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange)
- Citrus aurantifolia (Mexican Lime)
- Citrus australasica (Finger Lime)
- Citrus australis (Australian Lime)
- Citrus bergamia (Bergamot orange)
- Citrus hystrix (Indonesian lime)
- Citrus junos (Yuzu)
- Citrus limetta (Sweet Lime)
- Citrus limon 'Pink' (Pink Lemonade Lemon)
- Citrus limon (Lemon)
- Citrus limon 'Ponderosa' (Giant Lemon)
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) white flowers on twisting green stems trained onto a wooden stake.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) shows a round green fruit hanging among sharp thorns and leaves.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) bearing round yellow fruit alongside numerous green trifoliate leaves and thorns
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) round yellow fruit ripen among sharp thorns and green trifoliate leaves
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) showing green leaves and sharp thorns growing along a woody branch.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) green fruit clusters hanging from sharp thorny woody stems
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) displays a round green fruit hanging among sharp thorns and leaves.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) round yellow green fruit attached to sharp thorny stems and leaves
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) bearing round yellow fruit alongside trifoliate green leaves on a branch
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) round yellow fruit growing near clusters of dark green pointed leaves.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) green leaves with three oval leaflets growing together on woody branches
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) green fruit and long sharp thorns compared to a wooden pencil size
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) sliced open revealing translucent pulp and numerous seeds inside yellow fruit.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) with many white flowers on zigzag stems and sharp thorns.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) green bumpy fruit on a branch with pointed trifoliate leaves.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) green fruit growing on a branch covered in long sharp thorns
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) covered in many small white flowers across the branching canopy
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) white flower with five petals and yellow anthers on green thorns.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) yellow fruit hanging on sharp green thorny branches against blue sky
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) white flower with yellow centers upon green thorny woody stems.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) with white flowers and round yellow fruit among sharp green thorns.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) bearing round yellow fruit alongside trifoliate green leaves and sharp thorns
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) white flower with yellow centers attached to a woody dark stem.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) white flower cluster blooming among many sharp brown woody thorns
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) yellow fruit grow on thorny branches against a clear blue sky
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) white flower with long yellow stamens on a green thorny branch.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) white flower cluster growing along spiky branches with small green leaves.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) fruit hang from woody branches with long sharp orange thorns.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) white flowers mingled with small green fruit on thorny branch sections.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) bearing round green fruit among white flowers and sharp woody thorns
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) thorny stems and single white flower against a clear blue sky
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) white flower with yellow centers and sharp thorns on branches.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) white flower clusters with long brown thorns on woody plant stems
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) whole and halved fruits sitting on a plate.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) green leaves emerge from thorny branches with visible sharp needle points.
Citrus trifoliata (Hardy Orange) green leaves growing on woody branch, viewed in clear natural light.
Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/poncirus_trifoliata.htm