Citrus cavaleriei

Citrus cavaleriei, the Ichang papeda (Chinese: 宜昌橙), is a slow-growing species of papeda that has characteristic lemon-scented foliage and flowers.

Citrus cavaleriei
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Sapindales
Family:	Rutaceae
Genus:	Citrus
Species:	C. cavaleriei
Binomial name
Citrus cavaleriei H.Lév. ex Cavalerie
Synonyms
Citrus hongheensis Y.Ye, X.Liu, S.Q.Ding & M.Liang Citrus ichangensis Swingle

It is native to southwestern and west-central China^[1] and is likely named for the city of Yichang (宜昌), in China's Hubei province.

The Ichang papeda is notable for its unusual hardiness. With the exception of Poncirus trifoliata, it is the hardiest citrus plant, tolerating both moderate frost and damp conditions.^[2]

Description

Relatively rare in cultivation, the Ichang papeda is a large shrub or small tree, growing to 3–4.5 m (9.8–14.8 ft),^[3] and produces a small, mandarin-like fruit. Leaves feature a broad petiole, and resemble the leaves of the yuzu and the kaffir lime in appearance. The fruit has a fragrant, but rugged rind, and may be oval, spherical, or flattened in shape, ripening to yellow or orange. It contains many large monoembryonic seeds and a small quantity of bitter or sour juice; some fruits lack juice entirely and are instead filled with a mass of pith and seeds.

The Ichang papeda is occasionally grown as an ornamental plant.

Ichang papeda fruits

Hybrids

The Ichang papeda has been hybridised with many other citrus varieties, notably to produce hybrids that are relatively cold-hardy. Many of these hybrids also have many culinary applications:

• Kabosu - An Ichang papeda x Bitter orange cross.
• Shangjuan (also known as the Ichang lemon)^[2] - A cross between an Ichang papeda and a Pomelo.
• Yuzu^[2] - A naturally occurring hybrid between an Ichang papeda and a Mandarin orange.
  • Hyuganatsu - A Yuzu x Pomelo cross.
    • Haruka - A Hyuganatsu x Natsudaidai cross.
  • Jabara - Yuzu x Mandarin orange cross.
  • Sudachi - A cross between a Yuzu and a Koji/Tachibana orange.

References

1. Khan, Iqrar Ahmad (2007). Citrus genetics, breeding and biotechnology. CAB International. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-85199-019-4.
2. Spiegel-Roy, Pinchas; Goldschmidt, Eliezer E. (1996). Biology of citrus. Cambridge University Press. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-521-33321-4.^{[permanent dead link]}
3. Hogan, Sean (2008). Trees for all seasons: broadleaved evergreens for temperate climates. Timber Press. p. 79. ISBN 978-0-88192-674-3.