''Citrus'' × ''sinensis'' (sometimes written ''Citrus sinensis''), a hybrid between

pomelo The pomelo ( ), ''Citrus maxima'', is the largest citrus fruit from the family Rutaceae and the principal ancestor of the grapefruit. It is a natural, non-hybrid, citrus fruit, native to Southeast Asia. Similar in taste to a sweet grapefr ...

(''Citrus maxima'') and mandarin (''Citrus reticulata''), also known as the sweet oranges, is a commonly cultivated family of oranges that includes

blood orange The blood orange is a variety of orange ( ''Citrus'' × ''sinensis'') (also referred to as raspberry orange) with crimson, almost blood-colored flesh. The distinctive dark flesh color is due to the presence of anthocyanins, a family of polyp ...

s and

navel orange An orange is a fruit of various citrus species in the family Rutaceae (see list of plants known as orange); it primarily refers to ''Citrus'' × ''sinensis'', which is also called sweet orange, to distinguish it from the related ''Citrus � ...

Uses

The orange fruit is an important agricultural product, used for both the juicy fruit pulp and the aromatic peel (rind).

Orange blossom Orange Blossom is a French band that plays a mix of electronic and world music. The band was formed in Nantes in 1993 with Pierre-Jean Chabot (known as ''PJ Chabot'') on violin and Jean-Christophe Waechter (known as ''Jay C.'') on percussions ...

s (the flowers) are used in several different ways, as are the leaves and wood of the tree.

Flowers

* The

orange blossom Orange Blossom is a French band that plays a mix of electronic and world music. The band was formed in Nantes in 1993 with Pierre-Jean Chabot (known as ''PJ Chabot'') on violin and Jean-Christophe Waechter (known as ''Jay C.'') on percussions ...

, which is the state flower of Florida, is highly fragrant and traditionally associated with good fortune. It has long been popular in bridal bouquets and head wreaths. * Orange blossom essence is an important component in the making of perfume. * Orange blossom petals can also be made into a delicately citrus-scented counterpart to

rosewater Rose water ( fa, گلاب) is a flavoured water made by steeping rose petals in water. It is the hydrosol portion of the distillate of rose petals, a by-product of the production of rose oil for use in perfume. Rose water is also used to fla ...

, known as "orange blossom water" or "orange flower water". It is a common ingredient in French and Middle Eastern cuisines, especially in desserts and baked goods. In some Middle Eastern countries, drops of orange flower water are added to disguise the unpleasant taste of

hard water Hard water is water that has high mineral content (in contrast with "soft water"). Hard water is formed when water percolates through deposits of limestone, chalk or gypsum, which are largely made up of calcium and magnesium carbonates, bicarbo ...

drawn from wells or stored in (traditional Egyptian water pitchers made of porous clay). In the United States, orange flower water is used to make orange blossom scones and marshmallows. * In Spain, fallen blossoms are dried and used to make orange tea. * Orange blossom honey (or citrus honey) is obtained by putting

beehives A beehive is an enclosed structure in which some honey bee species of the subgenus '' Apis'' live and raise their young. Though the word ''beehive'' is commonly used to describe the nest of any bee colony, scientific and professional literature ...

in the citrus groves while trees bloom. By this method, bees also

pollinate Pollination is the transfer of pollen from an anther of a plant to the stigma of a plant, later enabling fertilisation and the production of seeds, most often by an animal or by wind. Pollinating agents can be animals such as insects, birds, a ...

seeded citrus varieties. This type of honey has an orangey taste and is highly prized.

Leaves

* Orange leaves can be boiled to make

orange tea Orange most often refers to: *Orange (fruit), the fruit of the tree species '' Citrus'' × ''sinensis'' ** Orange blossom, its fragrant flower *Orange (colour), from the color of an orange, occurs between red and yellow in the visible spectrum * ...

Wood

* Orangewood sticks are used as cuticle pushers in manicures and pedicures, and as spudgers for manipulating slender electronic wires. * Orangewood is used in the same way as mesquite, oak, and hickory for seasoning grilled meat. File:Orangerie du château de Versailles le 11 septembre 2015 - 84.jpg, Orange trees in movable pots, so that they can be placed indoors for the winter File:Orange flowers - Portakal çiçekleri 03.jpg, Orange flowers File:Unripened orange.JPG, Unripened fruit File:Oranges and blood oranges (01).jpg, Blood orange File:Arancia di Ribera byFigiu.JPG, Oranges on the branch File:Apfelsinenbaum--Orange tree.jpg, Orange tree

Chemical composition

Orange fruit and leaf both are reported to contain indole alkaloids including

N,N-DMT ''N'',''N''-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT or ''N'',''N''-DMT, SPL026) is a substituted tryptamine that occurs in many plants and animals, including human beings, and which is both a derivative and a structural analog of tryptamine. It is used as a ...

Threats

Giant swallowtail larva

Giant swallowtail caterpillars (''Papilio cresphontes)'' cause serious damage to this crop, especially to young trees.

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Citrus sinensis Citrus hybrids Fruit trees