Citron

The citron (Citrus medica) is a large fragrant citrus fruit with a thick rind. It is one of the original citrus fruits from which all other citrus types developed through natural hybrid speciation or artificial hybridization.

Known Location

Triad Location: Sunstone Seahold

Growth form:

Large shrub or small tree

General habitat:

• The citron tree is highly sensitive to frost; does not enter winter dormancy as early as other Citrus species. Foliage and fruit easily damaged by very intense heat and drought. Best citron locations are those where there are no extremes of temperature.
• The soils where the citron is grown vary considerably, but the tree requires good aeration.

Uses:

fruit (contains vitamin C). Used by Moreta as a hopeful preventitive.

Outside Info:

Info on Citron can be found at http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/citron.html

Additional Info

• If citrons are allowed to fully ripen on the tree they will be very aromatic and the peel yellow, the inner peel very tender.
• The citron tree blooms nearly all year, but mostly in spring and the spring blooms produce the major part of the crop. The fruit is dark-green when young, takes 3 months to turn yellow. To retain the green color, firmness and uniformity desired by the dealers in candied citron, the fruit must be picked when only 5 to 6 in (12.5-15 cm) long and 3 to 4 in (7.5-10 cm) wide. Mature trees yield an average of 66 lbs (30 kg) per year but exceptional trees have borne as much as 150 to 220 lbs (68-100 kg).