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Accession Data:

Citrus trifoliata L.

  • Common Name: Japanese Bitter Orange, Chinese Citron
  • Family: Rutaceae Juss.

  • Country of Origin: Korea & northern China
  • Habitat: temperate regions

  • Description: [syn. Aegle sepiaria DC.; Poncirus trifoliata(L.) Raf.]

    Large shrub or small tree to 10 m (30 ft) tall. Bark green with brown streaks. Twigs dark green, flattened, glabrous, flattened spines 0.8-7 cm (0.3-2.75 in) long. Leaves alternate, palmately compound, trifoliate; leaflets elliptic, oblong to ovate), and broadly tapering to each end; wider than oblanceolate.">obovate, 2.5-6.4 cm (0.5-2.5 in) long; glabrous; olive green above, paler beneath; cuneate or rounded at base; obtuse or rounded at apex; margins crenate; leaflets petiole or a stigma, when the style is absent.">sessile or with very short petioles, rachis broadly winged. Inflorescence axillary on the previous years growth; sepals ovate-elliptic; petals 5, thin, oblong to spatulate, much longer than sepals; ovary pubescent, 6-celled; stout and short; stamens 8-10; flowers appear in the spring. Fruit a berry, 3.8-5 cm (1.5-2 in) diameter, globose, yellow; seeds numerous, 6-12 mm (1/4-1/2 in) long and flat; fruits mature September to October.

  • Uses: The Chinese Citron Tree has many traditional uses for medicinal remedies. In Korea the dried fruits were used as a digestive and to allay eczema and fever. In China the fruits were also employed as having antiemetic, laxative, antispasmodic, stimulant, antiphlegmatic, and diuretic properties. The fruits were also a medication for rheumatism. A decoction of thorns from the Chinese Citron Tree was good for toothaches, the seeds to care for fluxes, and the bark as a cold remedy.

    • IMPORTANT NOTE: Plant Uses are for informational purposes only. EEB Greenhouses assume no responsibility for adverse effects from the use of any plants referred to on this site. Always seek advice from a professional before using any plant medicinally.
  • USDA Zone: 6a-9b

Accession Data:

  • Accession # 198501350
  • Source: Unknown
  • Accession Date: 12-31-1985
  • Bench: 2301 - Temperate Asia
    • Currently: active - healthy
    • Qty: 1 confirmed on 06-09-2024

Classification:

  • Division: Magnoliophyta
  • Class: Magnoliopsida
  • SubClass: eurosid II
  • Order: Sapindales
  • SubOrder:
  • Family: Rutaceae
  • SubFamily: Aurantioideae
  • Tribe: Citreae
  • SubTribe: Citrinae

Flowering Data:

This accession has been observed in bloom on:
YearJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008

References (internal):

  • Medicinal Plants
  • EEB 3271 - Systematic Botany

References (external):

  1. Hortus Third, LH Bailey Hortorium, 1976
  2. The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Last accessed 9 November 2015.

data regenerated on Tue, 08 Oct 2024 13:06:47 -0400 [bcm v4.0]

Images:

No default accession image assigned

Additional images for this accession:

Click on thumbnails to enlarge

Current Accessions in the Rutaceae

Subfamily Aurantioideae
Tribe Aurantieae

  • Merrilliinae: Murraya koenigii
  • Merrilliinae: Murraya paniculata

Subfamily Aurantioideae
Tribe Citreae

  • Citrinae: Citropsis daweana
  • Citrinae: Citrus aurantiifolia
  • Citrinae: Citrus japonica Nagami
  • Citrinae: Citrus junos
  • Citrinae: Citrus x limon
  • Citrinae: Citrus medica
  • Citrinae: Citrus x pyriformis
  • Citrinae: Citrus reticulata
  • Citrinae: Citrus reticulata Clementine de Nules
  • Citrinae: Citrus trifoliata
  • Triphasiinae: Triphasia trifolia

Subfamily Rutoideae
Tribe Ruteae

  • Ruta graveolens

Subfamily Spathelioideae

  • Cneorum tricoccon
  • Ptaeroxylon obliquum

Subfamily Toddalioideae

  • Casimiroa edulis
  • Dictamnus albus var. purpureus
  • Zanthoxylum simulans
W/C = Wild Collected
= indicates flowering in past 14 days
= images available for this accession
= map available for this accession
= accession added within past 90 days
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