Citrus aurantium L. (Rutaceae)
- Scientific name
- Citrus aurantium L.
- Family name
- Rutaceae
- Common name
- Bitter orange, Seville orange (English); dai-dai (Japanese)
- Local name
- Som-saa
An evergreen tree, up to 5 m. tall, with short, straight axillary spines, all parts glabrous. Leaves alternate, simple, ovate- to oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, 6–10 cm long, margins crenate or almost entire, pellucid-punctate below, glabrous, glossy above. Petiole 1–1.5 cm long, narrowly winged. Flowers rather large, 2 or more in the axils of the leaves, white, fragrant. Calyx large, broadly 5-toothed. Petals 5, oval-oblong, 1.5–2 cm. long. Stamens c. 20–40, free or slightly fused at base. Ovary globose, terminated by a very long, thick style. Fruit a hesperidium, large, globose or spheroid, orange, with a thick, somewhat wrinkled skin usually easily separable; cells filled with sweet, bitter, or acid vesicular pulp.
Uncommon trees, grown in backyard gardens for its fruits and leaves. Easily propagated by seed sowing, cutting, or layering. Prefers moist, well-drained soil with high organic matter content, and sunny habitat.
Leaves, which are harvested year-round, and fruits are used to flavour dishes such as curries or mee krob som saa (sweet and sour crispy noodles). It is favoured by its aroma and its stomachic properties.
Leaves, which are harvested year-round, and fruits are used to flavour dishes such as curries or mee krob som saa (sweet and sour crispy noodles). It is favoured by its aroma and its stomachic properties.