Orange

The orange, also called orange or Citrus sinensis, belongs to the genus of citrus plants (Citrus) within the rue family (Rutaceae). The plant originates from China or Southeast Asia, where it was created from a cross between mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata) and grapefruit (Citrus maxima). Today, the orange is cultivated worldwide and is the most commonly grown citrus fruit in the world.

Orange trees are small to medium-sized, evergreen trees with a height of up to 10 m and a round crown. The alternately arranged leaves have a width of 1 to 3 cm and a length of 0.6 to 1.5 cm. The thick and dark green leaf blade is oval in shape and pointed at the front. The flowers of the orange stand individually in the leaf axils and are white in colour. In Europe the orange flowers from February to June, in China from April to May.

Orange trees develop their fruits even without cross-pollination. The ripe fruit peel contains numerous oil glands that give off an aromatic scent. The peel and segments are fused together, the fruit is harder to peel or divide than other citrus fruits.

Citrus sinensis is the parent plant of Citri sinensis pericarpium.