Citrus reticulata Blanco

Blanco, F.M. (1837) Flora de Filipinas Edition 1 : 610. Type: ? Lectotype : Philipines, Luzon (Mewrrill, Species Blancoanae, No. 402).

Orange, Satsuma; Orange, Mandarin; Satsuma Orange; Mandarine Orange; Tangerine; Mandarin; Orange, Mandarine; Mandarin Orange

Usually flowers and fruits as a shrub 2-4 m tall but occasionally grows into a small tree.

Petioles narrowly winged. Leaf blades about 4.5-10 x 2.8-4 cm. Lateral veins not very obvious but close inspection reveals that they form loops inside the blade margin. Leaves very aromatic when crushed.

Flowers pleasantly perfumed. Petals glabrous, about 12 x 5 mm, oil dots greenish, large and conspicuous, readily visible to the naked eye. Stamens about 15, staminal filaments fused to form a tube about 6 mm long, free filaments about 1 mm long.

Fruits orange-red, usually depressed globose, about 7-10 cm diam., surface bullate, pulp orange. Testa with a reticulate pattern when dry. Oil dots visible in the cotyledons.

First pair of leaves with crenate margins and conspicuous oil dots. At the tenth leaf stage: oil dots conspicuous, readily visible to the naked eye with a conspicuous row of oil dots along the leaf blade margin. Crushed leaves smell like mandarins (Citrus reticulata). Seed germination time 23 to 35 days.

An introduced species originally from the Philippines and Asia, widely cultivated throughout the world and occasionally found naturalised in NEQ. Altitudinal range uncertain but probably from 600-800 m. Usually grows in disturbed areas, around camp sites, on farmland and in rain forest regrowth.