Citrus sinensis
Family: Rutaceae
Orange
Origin: Asia
Orange refers to a citrus tree (Citrus sinensis) and the fruits of this tree. It is a hybrid of ancient cultivated origin, possibly between Pomelo (Citrus grandis) and Tangerine (Citrus reticulata). It is a small tree, growing to about 30ft tall, with thorny shoots and evergreen leaves 2-4in long. The fruit originated in southeast Asia, in either India, Vietnam or southern China.
Oranges are widely grown in warm climates worldwide, and the flavors of orange vary from sweet to sour. The fruit is commonly peeled and eaten fresh, or squeezed for its juice. It has a thick bitter rind that is usually discarded, but can be processed into animal feed by removing water using pressure and heat. It is also used in certain recipes as flavoring or a garnish.
