''Citrus'' × ''sinensis'' (sometimes written ''Citrus sinensis''), a hybrid between
pomelo
The pomelo ( ; or pummelo, ''Citrus maxima''), also known as a shaddock, is the largest citrus fruit. It is an ancestor of several cultivated citrus species, including the bitter orange and the grapefruit. It is a natural, non-hybrid citrus fr ...
(''Citrus maxima'') and
mandarin
Mandarin or The Mandarin may refer to:
Language
* Mandarin Chinese, branch of Chinese originally spoken in northern parts of the country
** Standard Chinese or Modern Standard Mandarin, the official language of China
** Taiwanese Mandarin, Stand ...
(''Citrus reticulata''), also known as the sweet oranges, is a commonly cultivated species of
orange that includes
Valencia oranges,
blood orange
The blood orange is a variety of orange (fruit), orange with crimson, near blood-colored flesh. It is one of the sweet orange varieties (Citrus × sinensis, ''Citrus'' × ''sinensis''). It is also known as the raspberry orange.
The dark flesh ...
s and
navel oranges.
[
]
Uses
The orange fruit is an important agricultural product, used for both the juicy fruit pulp and the aromatic peel (rind). Orange blossom
The orange blossom is the fragrant flower of the orange (fruit), ''Citrus sinensis'' (orange tree). It is used in perfume making and has been written about as an aphrodisiac. Orange blossom Essential oil, essence is an important component in ...
s (the flowers) are used in several different ways, as are the leaves and wood of the tree.
Flowers
* The orange blossom
The orange blossom is the fragrant flower of the orange (fruit), ''Citrus sinensis'' (orange tree). It is used in perfume making and has been written about as an aphrodisiac. Orange blossom Essential oil, essence is an important component in ...
, 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, 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 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 which houses honey bees, subgenus '' Apis.'' Honey bees live in the beehive, raising their young and producing honey as part of their seasonal cycle. Though the word ''beehive'' is used to describe the nest of ...
in the citrus groves while trees bloom. By this method, bees also pollinate 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.
Wood
* Orangewood sticks are used as cuticle pushers in manicures and pedicures, as spudgers for manipulating slender electronic wires and as peg wood in watchmaking.
* 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 oranges
File:Arancia di Ribera byFigiu.JPG, Oranges on the branch
File:Apfelsinenbaum--Orange tree.jpg, Oranges on a tree
File:Laranxeira Naranjo GFDL.JPG, A mature tree in Galicia, Spain
Galicia ( ; or ; ) is an Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Spain and nationalities and regions of Spain, historic nationality under Spanish law. Located in the northwest Iberian Peninsula, it includes the provinces o ...
Threats
Giant swallowtail larva
Giant swallowtail caterpillars (''Papilio cresphontes'') cause serious damage to this crop, especially to young trees.
See also
* The orange blossom gives its touristic nickname to the '' Costa del Azahar'' ("Orange blossom coast"), the Castellón seaboard.
* Citrus greening disease - bacterial disease killing orange trees and other citrus fruits grown
References
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:772052-1
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Citrus sinensis
Citrus hybrids
Fruit trees