Bitter orange
Citrus × aurantium L.
Citrus × aurantium, commonly known as bitter orange, is a hybrid citrus species in the Rutaceae family. It is a cross between Citrus maxima (pomelo) and Citrus reticulata (wild mandarin orange), and was first described by Linnaeus in 1753. Native to Southeast Asia, it has been widely cultivated and naturalized in many regions. The fruit is used for essential oil production and in food, drinks, and pharmaceuticals. It is particularly valued for making British orange marmalade.
Description
Bitter orange, also called Seville orange or bigarade orange, is a hybrid citrus tree with a long history of cultivation. Its fruit is more acidic and less sweet than sweet oranges, making it unsuitable for direct consumption but ideal for processed products. The essential oil extracted from the peel is used in perfumes and flavorings. In traditional medicine, parts of the plant have been used for various purposes. The tree is adaptable to different climates and is often grown for commercial use rather than fresh fruit markets.
Other common names
Bitter orangesour orange
Synonyms
Citrus humilisCitrus nobilis var. kooziCitrus reticulata subsp. deliciosaCitrus reticulata subsp. tachibanaCitrus reticulata subsp. unshiuCitrus sinensis subsp. crassaCitrus sinensis subsp. fetiferaCitrus sinensis subsp. hierochunticaCitrus sinensis subsp. lusitanicaCitrus sulcataCitrus tangerinaCitrus tarogayoCitrus kooziCitrus truncataCitrus reticulata var. chrysocarpaCitrus tosa-asahiCitrus omikantoCitrus aurantium var. amaraCitrus reshniCitrus kerajiCitrus aurantium var. bigaradiaCitrus madurensis var. deliciosaCitrus vangasyCitrus reticulata subsp. deliciosaCitrus reticulata subsp. unshiuCitrus reticulata subsp. tachibanaCitrus succosaAurantium corniculatumAurantium distortumAurantium vulgaris
