Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Trifoliate Orange (Citrus trifoliata)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Sapindales>Rutaceae>Citrus trifoliata L.

Trifoliate Orange (Poncirus trifoliata)

This thorny large shrub or small tree is a rare escape from cultivation native to China and Korea. More commonly known as Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Rafinesque, but a 2003 study showed that Poncirus is nested within Citrus. The fruits look like small oranges but are not palatable, with a sour, bitter taste. Also called Hardy Orange because it's relatively frost tolerant.

Morrow Mountain State Park, Stanly Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Trifoliate Orange (Poncirus trifoliata)

Morrow Mountain State Park, Stanly Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Trifoliate Orange (Poncirus trifoliata) thicket

Trifoliate Orange forms impenetrable thickets.

Morrow Mountain State Park, Stanly Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Trifoliate Orange (Citrus trifoliata) thicket

This dense thicket covers about an acre in the forest understory along Towerview Drive on the Duke University campus.

Durham, NC 3/22/2012.

Trifoliate Orange (Citrus trifoliata) branch

Typical growth form. The branches are green.

Durham, NC 3/22/2012.

Trifoliate Orange (Citrus trifoliata) spines

The green stipular spines are very stout and very sharp.

Durham, NC 3/22/2012.

Trifoliate Orange (Citrus trifoliata) branch

Larger branches develop stripes.

Durham, NC 3/22/2012.

Trifoliate Orange (Citrus trifoliata) flowers

White flowers, about an inch across, appear in early spring, with leafout.

Durham, NC 3/22/2012.

Trifoliate Orange (Citrus trifoliata) flowers

Durham, NC 3/22/2012.

Trifoliate Orange (Citrus trifoliata) flowers

Durham, NC 3/22/2012.

Trifoliate Orange (Citrus trifoliata) flowers

Durham, NC 3/22/2012.

Trifoliate Orange (Citrus trifoliata) flower

Flower detail.

Durham, NC 3/22/2012.

Trifoliate Orange (Poncirus trifoliata)

Trifoliate Orange (Poncirus trifoliata)

Haywood Co. NC 5/10/08.

Trifoliate Orange (Poncirus trifoliata)

The thorns are truly wicked.

Haywood Co. NC 5/10/08.

Trifoliate Orange (Poncirus trifoliata)

The bark is striped with green.

Haywood Co. NC 5/10/08.

Trifoliate Orange (Citrus trifoliata)

Durham, NC 3/22/2012.

Trifoliate Orange (Citrus trifoliata)

Durham, NC 3/22/2012.

Trifoliate Orange (Poncirus trifoliata)

Durham, NC 3/28/07.

Trifoliate Orange (Poncirus trifoliata)

Bark detail.

Durham, NC 3/28/07.

More information:
Invasive.org
Virginia Tech Dendrology Wikipedia

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