Family: Rutaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 783 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Citrus
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: a cultigen from S. China
Description
The Sour orange, scientifically known as Citrus × aurantium, is a fascinating plant with a rich historical and botanical background. This plant, which belongs to the Rutaceae family, is recognized for its diverse uses and distinctively tangy flavor. Its origins can be traced back to Southeast China, where it was cultivated and treasured for its unique properties.
Described in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the botanist Linnaeus, the Sour orange has played a significant role in agriculture and horticulture around the world. Over time, it has spread from its native habitat in China to various parts of the globe, primarily through trade routes and cultural exchanges, becoming an integral component in different culinary traditions and medicinal practices.
Sour orange trees are evergreen, usually thriving in warm climates. These trees are known for their dark green, glossy leaves and fragrant white flowers, which bloom in spring. The fruit itself has a bitter taste and a rough, orange-colored rind, making it distinguishable from its sweeter relatives. The bitter flavor, however, does not diminish its value; instead, it enhances its appeal in culinary applications where a tart taste is desired.
Historically, the Sour orange has been utilized in a variety of culinary practices, particularly in marmalades, liqueurs, and as a flavoring agent in traditional recipes. Its high acidity and aromatic zest make it an essential ingredient in many gourmet dishes. Beyond the kitchen, the essential oils extracted from the peel are used in perfumes and cleaning products due to their pleasant scent and antibacterial properties.
Furthermore, Citrus × aurantium has notable medicinal uses. Traditional medicine systems in several cultures have employed different parts of the plant for their purported health benefits. The fruit and its extracts have been studied for their potential to support digestive health and weight management, among other uses.
Overall, the Sour orange is a plant of great historical significance and contemporary relevance. Its journey from Southeast China to worldwide recognition underscores its versatility and enduring appeal in both culinary and medicinal fields.
Common Names
En: Sour orange, Grapefruit, Seville orange, Bigarade, Bitter orange, Bitter-orange, King-orange, Seville-orange, Sour-orange
Zh: 厚叶橙
Da: Pomerans
Eo: Ĉinoto
Fr: Chinotto, Bigaradier, Oranger amer
De: Chinotto (Frucht), Bitterorangen, Orange, Pomeranze
El: Κιτρέα η μυρτόφυλλος
It: Arancio, Arancio amaro, Melangolo
Pt: Tangerina Morcote, Tangerina Murgote, Laranjeira, Laranja, Laranja-amarga, Laranja-azeda, Laranja-cavalo, Laranja-da-terra, Laranja-king, Laranjeira-da-terra, Tangerina
Ru: Померанец миртолистный
Sr: Chinotto
Es: Kinoto, Naranja agria, Naranja amarga, Naranja mateca
Sv: Storcitrus
Zh-hant: 厚葉橙
Synonyms
- Citrus × kotokan (Hayata)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. florifera (Risso)
- Citrus × karna (Raf.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. sigillata (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × vulgaris var. hispanica (Risso)
- Citrus × aurantium var. lusitanica (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × ujukitsu (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × daidai (Siebold ex Hayata)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. bifera (Risso)
- Citrus medica f. tamurana ((Tanaka) M.Hiroe)
- Citrus × aurantium var. myrtifolia (Ker Gawl.)
- Aurantium × orientale (Mill.)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. bizarria (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. racemosus (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × leiocarpa (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus sabon f. jiyu (Hayata)
- Citrus decumana var. panuban (Wester)
- Citrus × aurantium var. corniculata (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. fructo-aurata (Risso)
- Citrus × aurantium var. pyramidalis (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × aurantium subsp. sinensis ((L.) Engl.)
- Citrus taragayo (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. duplex (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × vulgaris var. chinensis (Risso)
- Citrus × myrtifolia ((Ker Gawl.) Raf.)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. florentina (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus grandis var. tengu ((Tanaka) Karaya)
- Citrus × aurantium var. rugosa (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × vulgaris var. florifera (Risso)
- Aurantium × variegatum (Barb.Rodr.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. lunata (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. asperma (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × sinograndis (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × canaliculata (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × anonyma (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. neapolitana (Risso & Poit.)
- Aurantium × myrtifolium (Descourt.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. conifera (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. bigamia (Risso)
- Citrus × aurantium var. ilicifolia (Risso)
- Citrus × aurantium var. praecox (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × rokugatsu (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × pseudograndis (Shirai)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. dulcis (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × natsudaidai ((Yu.Tanaka) Hayata)
- Citrus × reshni ((Engl.) Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × panuban ((Wester) Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × sinensis subsp. fetifera ((Risso) D.Rivera, Obón, De la Torre & A.Barber)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. fetifera (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. longifolia (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × nobilis var. rubrifrons (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × aurantium var. angustifolia (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × aurantium subsp. suntra (Engl.)
- Citrus × sinensis ((L.) Osbeck)
- Citrus × vulgaris var. multiflora (Risso)
- Citrus × aurantium var. bigaradia ((Loisel.) Brandis)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. macrocarpa (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus sabon f. banyu (Hayata)
- Citrus pompelmos var. racemosa (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × intermedia (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × aurantium var. oryza (Risso)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. myrtifolia ((Risso) Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. colla (Risso)
- Citrus sabon f. sekitoyu (Hayata)
- Aurantium × corniculatum (Poit. & Turpin)
- Citrus × aurantium var. fructo-depressa (Risso)
- Citrus × aurantium var. reshni (Engl.)
- Citrus decumana var. racemosa (M.Roem.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. natsudaidai (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. crispifolia (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × sinensis var. vulgaris (Risso)
- Citrus × maderaspatana (Yu.Tanaka)
- Aurantium × sinense ((L.) Mill.)
- Citrus × subcompressa ((Tanaka) Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × aurantium var. latifolia (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × sinensis subsp. crassa ((Risso) D.Rivera, Obón, De la Torre & A.Barber)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. fasciata (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. genuensis (Risso)
- Citrus × bigaradia (Loisel.)
- Citrus × clementina (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × tangelo (J.W.Ingram & H.E.Moore)
- Citrus × vulgaris var. folio-crispa (Risso)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. longifolia (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus grandis f. benikawa (Yu.Tanaka)
- Aurantium × silvestre (Pritz.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. oblonga (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × aurantium f. natsudaidai ((Yu.Tanaka) M.Hiroe)
- Citrus sabon f. mitsuyu (Hayata)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. multiflora (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. carnosa (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. hierochuntica (Risso)
- Citrus decumana var. paradisi ((Macfad.) H.H.A.Nicholls)
- Aurantium × bigarella (Poit. & Turpin)
- Citrus × aurantium var. fructo-costata (Risso)
- Citrus × benikoji (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × yuge-hyokan (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus grandis var. brunneorugosa (Karaya)
- Citrus × sinensis var. variegata (Risso)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. sylvestris (Risso)
- Citrus × changshan-huyou (Y.B.Chang)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. cortice-aeduli (Risso)
- Citrus × florida (Salisb.)
- Citrus × racemosa ((Risso & Poit.) Marcow. ex Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × sinensis subsp. lusitanica ((Risso) D.Rivera, Obón, De la Torre & A.Barber)
- Citrus × aurantium var. sinensis (L.)
- Citrus × nobilis var. subcompressa (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × aurantium var. nicaensis (Risso)
- Citrus × aurantium var. imbiga (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. daidai ((Siebold ex Hayata) Makino)
- Citrus × glaberrima (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × amara (Link)
- Citrus × aurantium var. voangkely (H.Perrier)
- Citrus × asahikan (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × aurantium subsp. natsudaidai ((Yu.Tanaka) Makino & Nemoto)
- Citrus × vulgaris var. corniculata (Risso)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. itan (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × iwaikan (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × aurantium var. nobilis ((Lour.) Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. mammillata (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. asperma (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × oto (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × aurantium var. duplex (Risso)
- Citrus × aurantium var. fetifera (Risso)
- Citrus × tosa-asahi (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × yatsushiro (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × sinensis var. plumosa (Risso)
- Citrus × aurantium f. intermedia ((Tanaka) M.Hiroe)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. corniculata ((Risso) Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. sulcata (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus grandis var. kotokan ((Hayata) Karaya)
- Citrus × aurantium var. umbilicata (Risso)
- Citrus × vulgaris var. glaberrima (Risso)
- Citrus × sinensis subsp. hierochuntica ((Risso) D.Rivera, Obón, De la Torre & A.Barber)
- Citrus × aurantium var. amara ((Link) Kostel.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. balearica (Risso)
- Citrus × nobilis f. tumida ((Tanaka) M.Hiroe)
- Citrus × aurantium var. limetta (Guillaumin)
- Citrus × paradisi (Macfad.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. grassensis (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × taiwanica (Yu.Tanaka & Shimada)
- Citrus × aurantium var. mandarina (Risso)
- Citrus × leiocarpa var. tumida (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. violacea (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. vulgaris (Risso)
- Aurantium × acre (Mill.)
- Citrus sabon f. hakunikuyu (Hayata)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. hispanica ((Risso) Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × dulcimedulla (Pritz.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. mutabilis (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. coronata (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × sulcata (Takahashi)
- Citrus sabon f. soyu (Hayata)
- Citrus × aurantium var. limetiformis (Risso)
- Citrus × iyo (Yu.Tanaka)
- Aurantium × coronatum (Poit. & Turpin)
- Citrus × aurantium var. elliptica (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. microcarpon (Risso)
- Citrus × aurantium var. sanguinea (Engl.)
- Citrus × sinensis var. myrtifolia ((Risso) Risso)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. spatafora (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. fructo-minutissima (Risso)
- Citrus × aurantium var. torulosa (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. glaberrima ((Risso) Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus maxima var. uvacarpa (Merr.)
- Citrus tarogayo (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × vulgaris var. pulpa-duci (Risso)
- Citrus grandis var. glaberrima ((Yu.Tanaka) Karaya)
- Citrus × humilis ((Mill.) Poir.)
- Citrus × funadoko (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. variegata (Risso)
- Citrus × aurantium var. melitensis (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × nobilis var. genshokan (Hayata)
- Citrus × ampullacea (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × pseudoparadisi (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × pseudogulgul (Shirai)
- Citrus × aurantium var. limoniformis (Risso)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. canaliculata (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. sinensis ((L.) Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × dulcis (Pers.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. fructo-variabili (Risso)
- Citrus × omikanto (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × nobilis (Lour.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. multiflora (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. depressa (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. gibbosa (Risso)
- Citrus × rumphii (Risso)
- Citrus × aurantium var. ruginosa (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × nobilis var. kikaijimense (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × aurantium subsp. amara ((Link) Engl.)
- Citrus × communis (Poit. & Turpin)
- Citrus × sinensis var. longifolia (Risso)
- Citrus × vulgaris var. fuctu-maxima (Risso)
- Citrus grandis var. sulcata ((Takah.) Karaya)
- Citrus grandis var. dulcis (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × mitsuharu (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. gallesiana (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × keraji (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × vulgaris var. rugosa (Risso)
- Citrus × aurantium var. dulcis (Hayne)
- Citrus × aurantium var. tarda (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × fusca (Lour.)
- Citrus × sinensis f. sekkan (Hayata)
- Citrus × aurantium var. mammifera (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × pomelana (Van Deman)
- Citrus decumana var. patoniana (Riccob.)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. cyathifera (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × calot (Lag.)
- Citrus grandis var. racemosa ((M.Roem.) B.C.Stone)
- Citrus × medioglobosa (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. salicifolia (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × bigaradia var. caliculata (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. fructo-variegata (Risso)
- Citrus × truncata (Yu.Tanaka)
- Aurantium × humile (Mill.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. minutissima (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × aurantium var. crispa (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × tengu (Yu.Tanaka)
- Citrus × aurantium var. pyriformis (Risso & Poit.)
- Citrus × sinensis var. aurantia (Risso)
- Citrus × tankan f. koshotankan (Hayata)
- Citrus grandis var. natsudaidai ((Yu.Tanaka) Karaya)
- Citrus × vulgaris var. myrtifolia (Risso)
Distribution
- Albania (introduced)
- Algeria (introduced)
- Angola (introduced)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Argentina Northwest (introduced)
- Assam (introduced)
- Bahamas (introduced)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- Belize (introduced)
- Benin (introduced)
- Bermuda (introduced)
- Borneo (introduced)
- Brazil Northeast (introduced)
- Brazil South (introduced)
- Brazil Southeast (introduced)
- Brazil West-Central (introduced)
- Cambodia (introduced)
- Canary Is. (introduced)
- Caroline Is. (introduced)
- Cayman Is. (introduced)
- Central American Pac (introduced)
- China North-Central (introduced)
- China South-Central (introduced)
- China Southeast (introduced)
- Cook Is. (introduced)
- Costa Rica (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- East Himalaya (introduced)
- Ecuador (introduced)
- Egypt (introduced)
- El Salvador (introduced)
- Ethiopia (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Gambia (introduced)
- Guinea-Bissau (introduced)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
- Haiti (introduced)
- Honduras (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Iraq (introduced)
- Italy (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Japan (introduced)
- Korea (introduced)
- Laos (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Libya (introduced)
- Line Is. (introduced)
- Louisiana (introduced)
- Madeira (introduced)
- Marianas (introduced)
- Mauritius (introduced)
- Mexico Southeast (introduced)
- Morocco (introduced)
- Myanmar (introduced)
- Nansei-shoto (introduced)
- Nepal (introduced)
- New Caledonia (introduced)
- Pakistan (introduced)
- Panamá (introduced)
- Paraguay (introduced)
- Peru (introduced)
- Philippines (introduced)
- Portugal (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Rodrigues (introduced)
- Réunion (introduced)
- Santa Cruz Is. (introduced)
- Socotra (introduced)
- Solomon Is. (introduced)
- Somalia (introduced)
- Spain (introduced)
- Sri Lanka (introduced)
- Tadzhikistan (introduced)
- Taiwan (introduced)
- Tibet (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Tuamotu (introduced)
- Tunisia (introduced)
- Vanuatu (introduced)
- Venezuela (introduced)
- Vietnam (introduced)
- Wallis-Futuna Is. (introduced)
- West Himalaya (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Leaf
Taken Aug 7, 2021 by Amanda (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 4, 2022 by correia cyneida (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 23, 2020 by Wesley Panda (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 4, 2020 by Cabrera Alejandro (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 26, 2021 by pratiwir pratiwir (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jun 27, 2020 by Silveira Paim Maria Salete (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 16, 2020 by Steve Miller (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 17, 2020 by FERREIRA DIEGO CÉSAR (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 12, 2022 by VHFarms Lu958462 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 15, 2020 by FERREIRA DIEGO CÉSAR (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken May 4, 2022 by Abrignani Nico (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 26, 2021 by pratiwir pratiwir (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 26, 2021 by pratiwir pratiwir (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 29, 2020 by Alacast Ju (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 10, 2022 by Christine Stampfer (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Dec 24, 2020 by papad eleni (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 10, 2020 by Moschen Tom (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 10, 2020 by paul spencer (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 31, 2020 by Alcantara Amsterda (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 26, 2021 by pratiwir pratiwir (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Nov 20, 2022 by Hunter Fernando (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 13, 2022 by Benítez de la Corte. Victor (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 14, 2021 by Xavier M (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 24, 2021 by Carlos Alves (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 23, 2020 by amisha aggarwal (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Oct 15, 2021 by Alexandra Norrsken (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 23, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 28, 2021 by Ahmed Haddad (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:59600-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Citrus × aurantium L.)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8077391)
Specifications
Growth
