Pummelo, Pomelo
Citrus maxima

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A spreading, spiny tree. It grows up to 15 m high. It is dome shaped. The leaves are very large. They are glossy and oval and downy underneath. The leaf stalks have broad wings. Young shoots and stems have fine hairs on them. Flowers are large (2 cm) and creamy white. The flowers are produced in bunches from woody shoots. The flowers have a sweet scent. The fruit are oval or pear shaped. The fruit is very large (20 cm) with a thick skin. The skin is dotted with oil glands. The fruit are green but become yellow when ripe. They contain 11-14 segments. The flesh can be pale yellow or pink. Each segment of the fruit is covered by a strong membrane. Some kinds have many seeds, while others are almost seedless. There are several named cultivated varieties.

There are 20 Citrus species. Several hybrids have been formed. The correct name is now Citrus maxima.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They thrive in warm lowland areas in the tropics. They can grow from sea level up to 1,300 m. They are tolerant of brackish and salty conditions. They suit humid climates. It suits areas with a rainfall between 1,900-2,400 mm. It is best with a temperature between 23°-30°C. It suits a pH between 5.5-6.5. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. It suits tropical and subtropical locations. In XTBG Yunnan. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, Andes, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bougainville, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Central America, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Ecuador, Europe, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Ivory Coast, Japan, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Malesia (country/location of origin), Marquesas, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rotuma, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia (country/location of origin), Sikkim, Solomon Islands, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tahiti, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit can be eaten fresh. They are used for desserts, jams and marmalades. The fruit pulp can be dried and candied. The skin can be eaten as a vegetable. The leaves are used to flavour meat and fish during cooking.

Trees can be seen occasionally in several coastal areas of Papua New Guinea and they are common in New Ireland Province. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves - flavouring

How it is grown

They are mostly grown from seed, but do not breed true. The seed only produce one seedling unlike many citrus. Trees are often produced by aerial layering, but budding or grafting can be used. Air-layered trees give sweeter fruit. Trees start producing after about 9 years. Trees need to be about 9 m apart. Trees grown away from other trees often produce almost seedless fruit.

Fruit is produced almost all the year round. The time from flowering to ripe fruit, is about 6 months. Fruit can be stored quite well. A tree may yield 50 fruits.

Its other names

Local names

Angibe, Banbulhabos, Batabilebu, Bhogate, Buntan, Buoi, Campirimosa, Chakotra, Chakotre, Chari, Foksay, Jamboa, Jambua, Jambura, Jamura, Jeruk Bali, Jeruk besar, Jumbola, Kurkuru, Limau besar, Lukban, Mahanibu, Ma-o, Mattu, Moli kana, Naranja, Nobab, Okabotru, Pains, Pambalimasu, Pampalamasam, Pamparamasam, Pampelmousse, Papnasa, Pohon jeruk bali, Pompelmoes, Riba, Rima rimocho, Sadaphal, Saiseh, Sakkota, Sankatra, Shaddock, Shouk-ton-oh, Soco vi kana, Som-oh, Som-or, Toranja, Toranja criolla, Toronja, Tremo

Synonyms

Aurantium maximum Burm. ex Rumph.; Citrus aurantium var. grandis L.; Citrus aurantium var. decumana L.; Citrus decumana L., nom. illeg.; Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck; Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr.;