Citron
Citrus medica L.
Citrus medica, commonly known as citron, is a large citrus fruit with a thick, fragrant rind. It is one of the original citrus species and has played a key role in the development of other citrus types through hybridization. Widely cultivated and used in cuisine, traditional medicine, perfume, and religious practices, citron has a broad global distribution and is found in various regions including parts of Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
Description
Citrus medica belongs to the Rutaceae family and is distinguished by its large size and coarse rind, resembling a lemon but significantly larger. Though cultivars vary in appearance, they share a close genetic relationship. Citron is used in both Asian and Mediterranean culinary traditions, as well as in traditional medicines and religious rituals. It is also an important parent species in the creation of other citrus hybrids, such as lemons and certain limes. The species was first described in 1753 and is cultivated in many regions worldwide, including the United States, South America, and parts of Africa and Asia.
Other common names
Citron
Distribution
SC · HR · YT · Corse (Corsica) · MV · LY · MG · AU · NZ · Galápagos Islands · BR · Amazonas, Meta, Nariño, Putumayo · EC · Amazonia colombiana: sur del departamento del Vichada; el suroriente del Meta; todo el territorio de los departamentos de Amazonas, Caquetá, Guainía, Guaviare, Putumayo y Vaupés; la Bota Caucana; y las vertientes amazónicas de Nariño (la parte alta de los · Global · PE · LA · conterminous 48 United States · Alabama · Algeria · Andaman Is. · Assam · Bangladesh · Benin · Borneo · Canary Is. · China South-Central · China Southeast · Comoros · Cuba
Synonyms
Limon vulgareLimon spinosumLimon racemosumCitrus acidaCitrus alataCitrus aurantium var. properCitrus aurantium var. tamuranaCitrus balotinaCitrus bicolorCitrus bigenaCitrus cedraCitrus cedrataCitrus crassaCitrus fragransCitrus gaoganensisCitrus gongraCitrus grandis var. pyriformisCitrus hassakuCitrus hiroshimanaCitrus kizuCitrus kwangsiensisCitrus limonimedicaCitrus medica var. alataCitrus medica var. digitataCitrus medica var. dulcisCitrus medica var. ethrogCitrus medica var. nanaCitrus medica var. properCitrus medica var. sarcodactylusCitrus medica f. sudachi
