Citrus ×sinensis
Common names
orange
Biostatus
Exotic
Conservation status
Not applicable
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Flower colours
White
Detailed description
Tree to about 10 m with rounded crown. Spines on main trunk and branches. Entire or slightly crenulate leaves to 15 x 7 cm on petioles to 2.5 cm. White flowers held in small bunches. Fruit ripening to 5-7 cm diameter, bright orange peel dotted with oil glands.
Similar taxa
Many cultivars of oranges are cultivated as well as several other species. Presence of thorns, round fruit with bright orange smooth peel are characteristic of C. sinensis.
Habitat
Terrestrial.
Detailed taxonomy
Genus
Family
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Flowering
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Fruiting
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Year naturalised
1983
Origin
S. China
Reason for introduction
Agricultural
Life cycle and dispersal
Reproduces by seed. Prolific fruit and seed are produced in warmer parts of New Zealand.