| Habitats
|
|
|
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Hedge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.
|
| Edible Uses
|
|
Edible Parts: Fruit.
Fruit - raw or cooked[1, 3]. Very bitter[46]. It is used in making marmalade and other preserves[3, 46, 61, 183]. The fruit is about 5 - 7cm in diameter[200].
The rind of the fruit is often used as a flavouring in cakes etc[1, 4]. Used in 'bouquet garni'[183].
An oil obtained from the seeds contains linolenic acid and is becoming more widely used as a food because of its ability to reduce levels of cholesterol in the blood[7].
The flowers are used for scenting tea[183].
An essential oil from the dried peel of immature fruits is used as a food flavouring[183].
|
|
|
|
| Medicinal Uses
|
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antibacterial; Antiemetic; Antifungal; Antispasmodic; Antitussive; Aromatherapy; Carminative; Contraceptive; Diaphoretic; Digestive; Miscellany;
Sedative; Stimulant; Stomachic; Tonic.
Citrus species contain a wide range of active ingredients and research is still underway in finding uses for them. They are rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, acids and volatile oils. They also contain coumarins such as bergapten which sensitizes the skin to sunlight. Bergapten is sometimes added to tanning preparations since it promotes pigmentation in the skin, though it can cause dermatitis or allergic responses in some people[238]. Some of the plants more recent applications are as sources of anti-oxidants and chemical exfoliants in specialized cosmetics[238]. The plants also contain umbelliferone, which is antifungal, as well as essential oils that are antifungal and antibacterial[218]. They also contain the pyrone citrantin, which shows antifertility activity and was once used as a component of contraceptives[218].
Both the leaves and the flowers are antispasmodic, digestive and sedative[7, 9]. An infusion is used in the treatment of stomach problems, sluggish digestion etc[9].
The fruit is antiemetic, antitussive, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive and expectorant[218].The immature fruit can be used (called Zhi Shi in China) or the mature fruit with seeds and endocarp removed (called Zhi Ke). The immature fruit has a stronger action. They are used in the treatment of dyspepsia, constipation, abdominal distension, stuffy sensation in the chest, prolapse of the uterus, rectum and stomach[176].
The fruit peel is bitter, digestive and stomachic[7].
The seed and the pericarp are used in the treatment of anorexia, chest pains, colds, coughs etc[218].
The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Radiance'[210]. It is used in treating depression, tension and skin problems[238].
|
|
| Other Uses
|
Oil; Miscellany; Essential; Hedge; Oil; Repellent; Rootstock; Hedge.
This species is much used as a rootstock for the sweet orange, C. sinensis, because of its disease resistance and greater hardiness[3, 46, 61].
Grown as a hedging plant in N. America[260].
A semi-drying oil obtained from the seed is used in soap making[46, 61].
Essential oils obtained from the peel, petals and leaves are used as a food flavouring and also in perfumery and medicines[1, 4, 46, 61, 171]. The oil from the flowers is called 'Neroli oil' - yields are very low from this species and so it is often adulterated with inferior oils[7]. The oil from the leaves and young shoots is called 'petit-grain' - 400 kilos of plant material yield about 1 kilo of oil[7]. This is also often adulterated with inferior products[7].
Neroli oil, mixed with vaseline, is used in India as a preventative against leeches[268].
|
|
| Cultivation details
|
|
|
Prefers a moderately heavy loam with a generous amount of compost and sand added and a very sunny position[1, 200]. Prefers a pH between 5 and 6[200]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.8 to 8.3. Plants are intolerant of water logging[200]. When growing plants in pots, a compost comprising equal quantities of loam and leafmould plus a little charcoal should produce good results[260]. Do not use manure since Citrus species dislike it[260]. When watering pot plants it is important to neither overwater or underwater since the plant will soon complain by turning yellow and dying. Water only when the compost is almost dry, but do not allow it to become completely dry[260].
Dormant plants can withstand temperatures down to about -6°c so long as this is preceded by cool weather in order to harden off the plant[200]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. A tree grown outdoors on the coast at Salcombe in Devon lived for over 200 years[166].
The bitter orange is often grown for its edible fruit in warm temperate and tropical zones, there are many named varieties[183]. In Britain it can be grown in a pot that is placed outdoors in the summer and brought into a greenhouse during the winter[3, 200].
Plants dislike root disturbance and so should be placed into their permanent positions when young. If growing them in pots, great care must be exercised when potting them on into larger containers[238].
|
|
|
|
|
| Propagation
|
|
|
The seed is best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it ripe after thoroughly rinsing it[164, 200]. Sow stored seed in March in a greenhouse[3]. 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 polyembrionic, 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]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least three growing seasons before trying them outdoors. Plant them out in the summer and give them some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame.
Layering in October.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Links / References
|
|
[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
| [1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
|
| Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
|
|
| [3]Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit.
|
| A very readable book with information on about 100 species that can be grown in Britain (some in greenhouses) and details on how to grow and use them.
|
|
| [4]Grieve. A Modern Herbal.
|
| Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
|
|
| [7]Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
|
| Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
|
|
| [9]Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants.
|
| Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
|
|
| [46]Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants.
|
| 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.
|
|
| [61]Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
|
| Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
|
|
| [164]Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4.
|
| Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.
|
|
| [166]Taylor. J. The Milder Garden.
|
| A good book on plants that you didn't know could be grown outdoors in Britain.
|
|
| [171]Hill. A. F. Economic Botany.
|
| Not very comprehensive, but it is quite readable and goes into some a bit of detail about the plants it does cover.
|
|
| [176]Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas.
|
| An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.
|
|
| [183]Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
|
| Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
|
|
| [200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
|
| Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
|
|
| [210]Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use.
|
| An excellent little pocket guide. Very concise.
|
|
| [218]Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China
|
| Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
|
|
| [238]Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
|
| A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
|
|
| [260]Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2
|
| Excellent photos of over 1,100 species and cultivars with habits and cultivation details plus a few plant uses. Many species are too tender for outdoors in Britain though there are many that can be grown outside.
|
|
| [268]Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism
|
| Excellent herbal with good concise information on over 400 herbs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rate This Plant |
|
|
Please rate this plants for how successful you have found it to be. You will need
to be logged in to do this. Our intention is not to create a list of 'popular' plants
but rather to highlight plants that may be rare and unusual and that have been found
to be useful by website users. This hopefully will encourage more people to use
plants that they possibly would not have considered before. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Add a comment/link
|
|
|
If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at admin@pfaf.org. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.
* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.
| Subject : Citrus aurantium |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Discussion Monitor
|
|
To have posts to this page mailed to you enter your email address here:
(Your email address will not appear on the
webpage or be passed on to third parties).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|