| 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.
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| Morrow Mountain State Park, Stanly Co., NC 4/17/2011.
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| Trifoliate Orange forms impenetrable thickets. Morrow Mountain State Park, Stanly Co., NC 4/17/2011.
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| This dense thicket covers about an acre in the forest understory along Towerview Drive on the Duke University campus. Durham, NC 3/22/2012.
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| Typical growth form. The branches are green. Durham, NC 3/22/2012.
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| The green stipular spines are very stout and very sharp. Durham, NC 3/22/2012.
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| Larger branches develop stripes. Durham, NC 3/22/2012.
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| White flowers, about an inch across, appear in early spring, with leafout. Durham, NC 3/22/2012.
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| Durham, NC 3/22/2012.
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| Durham, NC 3/22/2012.
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| Durham, NC 3/22/2012.
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| Flower detail. Durham, NC 3/22/2012.
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