Citrus × sinensis (sometimes written Citrus sinensis), a hybrid between pomelo ( Citrus maxima) and mandarin orange ( Citrus reticulata), also known as the sweet oranges, is a commonly cultivated species of orange that includes , and .[
]
Uses
The orange fruit is an important agricultural product, used for both the juicy fruit pulp and the aromatic peel (rind). (the flowers) are used in several different ways, as are the leaves and wood of the tree.
Flowers
-
The orange blossom, which is the Floral emblem of Florida,
-
Orange blossom essence is an important component in the making of perfume.
-
Orange blossom petals can also be made into a delicately citrus-scented counterpart to rosewater, known as "orange blossom water" or "orange flower water". It is a common ingredient in French and Middle Eastern cuisines, especially in desserts and baked goods. In some Middle Eastern countries, drops of orange flower water are added to disguise the unpleasant taste of hard water drawn from wells or stored in (traditional Egyptian water pitchers made of porous clay). In the United States, orange flower water is used to make orange blossom scones and marshmallows.
-
In Spain, fallen blossoms are dried and used to make orange tea.
-
Orange blossom honey (or citrus honey) is obtained by putting beehives in the citrus groves while trees bloom. By this method, bees also pollination seeded citrus varieties. This type of honey has an orangey taste and is highly prized.
Leaves
Wood
-
Orangewood sticks are used as cuticle pushers in manicures and pedicures, as for manipulating slender electronic wires and as peg wood in watchmaking.
-
Orangewood is used in the same way as mesquite, oak, and hickory for seasoning grilled meat.
File:Orangerie du château de Versailles le 11 septembre 2015 - 84.jpg|Orange trees in movable pots, so that they can be placed indoors for the winter
File:Orange flowers - Portakal çiçekleri 03.jpg|Orange flowers
File:Unripened orange.JPG|Unripened fruit
File:Oranges and blood oranges (01).jpg|Blood oranges
File:Arancia di Ribera byFigiu.JPG|Oranges on the branch
File:Apfelsinenbaum--Orange tree.jpg|Oranges on a tree
File:Laranxeira Naranjo GFDL.JPG|A mature tree in Galicia, Spain
Threats
Giant swallowtail larva
Giant swallowtail caterpillars ( Papilio cresphontes) cause serious damage to this crop, especially to young trees.
See also
-
The orange blossom gives its touristic nickname to the Costa del Azahar ("Orange blossom coast"), the Castellón seaboard.
-
Citrus greening disease - bacterial disease killing orange trees and other citrus fruits grown
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:772052-1
External links
