trifoliate orange
ExplorePlants
trifoliate orange
Citrus trifoliata
The trifoliate orange is a special plant with three leaflets on each leaf! It has bright orange fruits that are very sour. This plant is often used as a hedge and can grow tall and bushy.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The trifoliate orange is a thorny deciduous shrub or small tree with distinct three-part (trifoliate) leaves. Its white, fragrant flowers appear in spring, followed by small, fuzzy, golf ball-sized fruits that turn yellow in fall.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilyRutaceaeGenusCitrus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Farmers use its roots to grow tougher types of oranges and lemons.
It's the only citrus plant that loses its leaves in winter!
Its incredibly bitter fruits are sometimes used to make marmalade.
This plant's scientific name means "three-leaved citrus," for its unique leaves.
Special abilities
Ability
Cold Crusader
Trifoliate orange can survive freezing temperatures that would kill most citrus, thanks to unique adaptations in its sap.
Ability
Spiky Protector
This plant has long, sharp thorns to defend its branches and leaves from hungry animals trying to munch on it.
Ability
Unique Leaves
Trifoliate orange has unusual three-part leaves, different from other citrus, helping it adapt to colder climates.
Ability
Bitter Barrier
Its small, fuzzy fruits contain a very bitter oil, deterring most animals from eating them and protecting its seeds.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 100-300 cm
- Spread
- 150-250 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-4 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Visits its fragrant white flowers for nectar.
eats
Giant swallowtail
Papilio cresphontes
Larvae munch on its leaves, like other citrus plants.
shelters
House sparrow
Passer domesticus
Dense, thorny branches provide safe nesting sites.
Traits
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Cold Hardy
Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Fruit Tree
A fruit tree is a perennial tree that produces fruit, which is edible to humans or animals.
Spiky/Thorny
Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Be careful of the sharp thorns when getting close to this plant!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is trifoliate orange?
100-300 cm
How wide does trifoliate orange spread?
150-250 cm
How big are the flowers on trifoliate orange?
2-4 cm
When does trifoliate orange bloom?
Spring
Is trifoliate orange edible?
No
Is trifoliate orange toxic?
Mild
What is trifoliate orange's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is trifoliate orange pollinated?
Insect
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