Mandarin
Citrus reticulata

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A small evergreen tree up to 4-8 m tall. It spreads to 2 m across. The stem is erect, branching and thorny. The leaves are dark green, and long and narrow in shape. They are 3-4 cm long. There is only a narrow wing on the leaf stalk. It has a few or no spines. The flowers are white and star shaped. They are 2.5-4 cm across and have a scent. Fruit are almost round and the skin peels off easily. The fruit are 4-8 cm long. The flesh is red, juicy and sweet.

There are 20 Citrus species. Several hybrids have been formed.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. The hardiest of the citrus. It grows from sea level up to 2300 m altitude in the tropics. They do best between 800 m and 1200 m altitude. A well drained soil is needed. They also prefer a drier climate. It is drought and frost resistant. They need a temperature above 3-5 °C. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andes, Angola, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bolivia, Bougainville, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central America, Central Asia, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Georgia, Ghana, Guam, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malesia (country/location of origin), Mexico, Middle East, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines (country/location of origin), Rotuma, Sahel, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Uganda, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, West Timor, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh and raw. They are also used for juice, preserved in syrup, added to salads or used in sweets, cakes, and drinks. The peel is dried and is used as a condiment. The oil from the peel is used to flavour ice cream, chewing gum, and baked goods. The flower petals are eaten.

Not widely grown in Papua New Guinea but more are being planted. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit, herb, flavouring, spice, flowers

How it is grown

Often trees are grown from seed. Some breed true from seed. Seedling trees take a long time to start producing fruit. Budded trees are best. A spacing of about 8 m between trees is suitable. From one seed, several seedlings can grow. Using seedlings of seeds with 3 or more shoots helps produce trees true to type. Cuttings or layering can also be used.

Seedling trees take 4-6 years to fruit. Grafted trees fruit after 2-4 years. Fruit tend to be produced seasonally. The season is often from April to August in the Southern Hemisphere.

Its other names

Local names

Chieh, Chu, Clementine, Cur. oranje, Hondra, Jamanarang, Jeruk keprak, Jeruk keprok, Jiaogan, Ju, Kak0sawk, Kamala, Kamla lebu, Komla, Kyul, Lawidwi, Lein-hmaw, Leing maw thee, Mandarina, Mandarine, Mandarini, Mangada, Mikan, Moli madarini, Monarikisi, Nagpur suntra, Naran, Narangi, Nartjie, Santara, Satsuma, Shalawi, Soco madarini, Som khiew wan, Suntala, Tangerina, Tangerine, Te mantarin, Tunmapa

Synonyms

Citrus chrysocarpa Lush.; Citrus crenatifolia Lush.; Citrus crenatifolia var. lycopersiciformis Lush.; Citrus daoxianensis S.W.He & G.F.Liu; Citrus deliciosa Ten.; Citrus depressa Hayata; Citrus erythrosa Yu.Tanaka; Citrus himekitsu Yu.Tanaka; Citrus koozi (Sieb. ex Yu.Tanaka) Yu.Tanaka; Citrus lycopersiciformis (Lush.) Yu.Tanaka; Citrus madurensis var. deliciosa (Ten.) Sagot; Citrus mangshanensis S.W.He & G.F.Liu; Citrus nippokoreana Yu.Tanaka; Citrus otachihana Yu.Tanaka; Citrus papillaris Blanco; Citrus papillaris var. chrysocarpa (Lush.) Alston; Citrus ponki Yu.Tanaka; Citrus poonensis Yu.Tanaka; Citrus succosa Yu.Tanaka; Citrus succosa Tanaka; Citrus suhuiensis Hayata; Citrus sunki (Hayata) Yu.Tanaka; Citrus tachibana (Makino) Yu.Tanaka; Citrus tangerina Yu.Tanaka; Citrus tankan Hayata; Citrus tankan f. haili Hayata; Citrus unshiu (Yu.Tanaka ex Swingle) Marcow.; Citrus vangasy Bojer;