Citrus Species, Japanese Hardy Orange, Bitter Orange (Citrus trifoliata)

by debnes_dfw_tx Apr 5, 2009 3:34 PM

Young plant. You can easily see why it is called trifoliata:)

Arboretum Sp�th, Berlin/Germany

The "Flying Dragon" (Poncirus Trifoliata) blooms in Columbia, SC (Zone 8b/9a) in March. This photo, taken March 25, 2004, is of one of the very lightly scented white flowers that cover the plant in spring. Each flower is approximately one inch in diameter. These flowers attract bees and, in about a month, will be replaced with tiny green fruit.

The buds that later form leaves and flowers are visible during winter as tiny brown bumbs. In spring, these bumbs enlarge. Some become flowers, others become vegetative growth 12 inches or more in length.

"Flying Dragon"

Bitter Orange, first blooms of the year.

Blooming Bitter Orange

Large shrub(15ft) loaded with fruit. The squirrels don't seem to like them though.

Poncirus trifoliata after winter. Poland, Krakow, USDA Zone 6b

University of British Columbia Campus - Vancouver, B.C. Canada

Washington Park Arboretum - Seattle, WA

Belsay Hall Northumberland June 14, 2008

Very rare variegated Pocirus Trifoliata

Bot. garden - Roma- Italy

It's only about a foot wide, but it is about 7' tall, and has lots of foliage for the Giant Swallowtails to lay their eggs on.

Close up of leaves and long hook thorns...

From Hungary

Poncirus trifoliata growing in shady wooded area in zone 7a; photo taken in early November

Trifoliate Orange Foliage and Thorns. Early April, Zone 8b. (Poncirus trifoliata)

Dumbarton Oaks, Washington. Photo courtesy of Karl Gercens. Copyright Karl Gercens. Conservatory Horticulturist at Longwood Gardens. http://www.karlgercens.com/

Krapets, Bulgaria, zone 8a

Tidewater Arboretum, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Photo courtesy of Karl Gercens. Copyright Karl Gercens. Conservatory Horticulturist at Longwood Gardens. http://www.karlgercens.com/

Copyright Roger Raiche. Designer, Naturalist, Botanist and Licensed Contractor at�Planet Horticulture Landscape Design & Construction from Guerneville, CA.