Citrus medica
L.
Rutaceae
Aurantium medicum (L.) M. Gómez
Citreum vulgare Tourn. ex Mill.
Citrus alata (Tanaka) Yu.Tanaka
Citrus aurantium bergamia (Risso) Brandis
Citrus aurantium proper Guillaumin
Citrus aurantium tamurana Yu.Tanaka
Citrus balotina Poit. & Turpin
Citrus bergamia mellarosa (Risso) Rivera, et al.
Citrus bicolor Poit. & Turpin
Citrus bigena Poit. & Turpin
Citrus cedra Link
Citrus cedrata Raf.
Citrus crassa Hassk.
Citrus fragrans Salisb.
Citrus gongra Raf.
Citrus grandis pyriformis (Hassk.) Karaya
Citrus hassaku Yu.Tanaka
Citrus hiroshimana Yu.Tanaka
Citrus kizu Yu.Tanaka
Citrus kwangsiensis Hu
Citrus limetta murcica S.Ríos & al.
Citrus limodulcis Rivera, et al.
Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck
Citrus limon digitata Risso
Citrus limonimedica Lush.
Citrus lumia Risso
Citrus nana (Wester) Yu.Tanaka
Citrus odorata Roussel
Citrus pyriformis Hassk.
Citrus sarcodactylus Siebold ex Hoola van Nooten
Citrus sudachi Yu.Tanaka
Citrus tuberosa Mill.
Limon racemosum Mill.
Limon spinosum Mill.
Limon vulgaris Ferrarius ex Miller
Sarcodactilis helicteroides Gaertn.
Common Name: Citron
Fruit, showing the lack of flesh
Photograph by: EsrogHunt
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0
Fruit, showing the lack of flesh
Photograph by: EsrogHunt
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0
Flowering and fruiting branch
Photograph by: Johann Werfring
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
General Information
Citron is a straggly, evergreen shrub or small tree growing up to 4 metres tall. It is considered to be a delicate plant and the most tender of the cultivated Citrus species[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
The plant yields an edible fruit, though it is very acidic and is more commonly used as a flavouring. It also plays a role in the Jewish Feast of the Tabernacles[
377- Title
- Trade Winds Fruit
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
]. The plant is occasionally cultivated in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. In the tropics, where a few fruits ripen throughout the year, the crop is more suited to home gardens than production in orchards[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. There are some named varieties[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. The plant is also sometimes grown as an ornamental[
1713- Title
- Ethnobotanical Studies of Useful Trees of District Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir
- Publication
- Biologia (Pakistan) 2014, 60 (1), 63-71
- Author
- Muhammad Ajaib & Zaheer-Ud-Din Khan
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
- 2313-206X
- Description
-
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
Range
Only known in cultivation.
Habitat
Not known in a truly wild situation.
Properties
Edibility Rating | |
Medicinal Rating | |
Other Uses Rating | |
Habit | Evergreen Shrub |
Height | 4.00 m |
Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Ornamental |
Cultivation Details
Three main climates are suitable for commercial citrus production - tropical climates, subtropical with winter rain such as in the Mediterranean and semitropical with summer rainfall as found in Florida and southern Brazil[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Prefers a deep, well-drained but moisture-retentive loamy soil in full sun[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 7, tolerating 5.5 - 8[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
]. Prefers a position sheltered from strong winds[
].
In the tropics, citron grows very well at elevations below 1,300 metres[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. The optimal temperatures for cultivation range between 15 - 27°c, with the coldest month having an average minimum of at least 15°c[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Growth generally ceases below 13°c and above 35°c[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Fruits are killed if the temperature falls to -2°c, whilst the leaves are killed at -9°c[
]. If there are dry periods of more than three months, then irrigation will be necessary[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Citron is very sensitive to frost and to intense heat and drought; it is the tenderest of all Citrus species[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
The tree has a short life cycle compared with other citrus species. It starts producing when 2 - 3 years old, reaches a maximum in 8 - 15 years and has an economical life of 25 - 30 years[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
].
Mature trees produce about 40 kg fruit per year, but yields up to 100 kg per year per tree have been obtained[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Citron cultivars are divided into two groups:-
Acid cultivars. These have pinkish floral buds and shoots, acid pulp and a dark inner seed-coat and chalazal spot[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Non Acid cultivars. These are without pinkish floral buds and shoots, with non-acid pulp, a colourless inner seed-coat and a pale-yellow chalazal spot.
In China, Japan, Indo-China and India, Citrus medica L. Var. Sarcodactylis (Noot.) Swingle is widely cultivated. It is the fingered citron or Buddha's Hand Citron, whose fruit is split into a number of finger-like sections, without or with very scanty pulp[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. It is highly esteemed for its fragrance and beauty and used to perfume rooms and clothing[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. Grown as a dwarf plant it is also a valued ornamental throughout the Far East[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Edible Uses
The fruits are made into marmalade, eaten in salads or are used in liqueurs[
].
The thick rind of the fruit can be sliced and added to salads, or candied and used as a flavouring in cakes, puddings, confectionery etc[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. It is a commercial source of candied peel, used in cakes etc[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
]. The thick peel is candied, after having been cleaned by fermentation in sea water[
].
The fruit of some improved forms can be used to extract the juice for making beverages and desserts[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].
The lemon-shaped fruit can be 10 - 20cm long[
].
Medicinal
The fresh shoots, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds of citron have all entered into a number of traditional medicinal preparations for the treatment of asthma, arthritis, headache, stomach-ache, intestinal parasites and certain psychological disturbances (insanity, possession by evil spirits).
Decoctions of the roots are reportedly used to treat respiratory problems and backache in China[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
The fruits are used in the treatment of malaria, coughs and colds[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].
The stem is used in febrifuge pills[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].
Other Uses
Citron fruit has been used since Roman times as a perfume and moth repellent, and to flavour foods[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Propagation
The seed is best sown in containers as soon as it is ripe, after thoroughly rinsing it[
164- Title
- Growing from Seed. Volume 4.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bird. R. (Editor)
- Publisher
- Thompson and Morgan.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Sow stored seed in containers as soon as possible]. 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 polyembryonic, 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[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until they are 10cm or more tall before planting out into their permanent positions.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood in a frame. This species grows easily from cuttings[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Citron is usually propagated by leafy cuttings taken from 2-4 year-old branches[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Layering in October.