Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool

trifoliate orange

Citrus trifoliata

(L.) Raf.

Taxon, Habit: Plant, Shrub

Habitat: Terrestrial

U.S. Nativity: Introduced

Species Synonym(s): None

Common Name(s): None

Family: Rutaceae (Rue Family)

Family Synonym(s): None

Native Range (GRIN):

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Tree

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

Twig/Shoot

John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University

Flower

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

Fruit

Franklin Bonner, USFS (ret.)

Fruit

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

Fruit

James Johnson, Georgia Forestry Commission

Description

Trifoliate orange is a deciduous shrub or small tree that grows from 8-30 ft. (2.4-9.1 m) in height. The leaves are alternate, compound (trifoliate), up to 2 in. (5.1 cm) long and have a winged petiole. The twigs are green with stout, 1 in. (2.5 cm) long thorns. The bark is conspicuously green-striped. Spring flowers are white, 5-petaled, 1-2 in. (2.5-5.1 cm) in diameter and showy. Fruit is a 1.5-2 in. (3.8-5.1 cm) diameter, dull yellow, sticky orange (berry). Trifoliate orange invades woodlands, forest edges, fence rows and urban green spaces.

Uses

Landscape Ornamental Use (GRIN): Yes

All Uses (GRIN): Ornamental

Distribution Map (EDDMapS)

Wetland Indicator

Summary: trifoliate orange (Citrus trifoliata) is a Terrestrial species.

Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain (AGCP):

Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain regions

No Data

Eastern Mountains and Piedmont (EMP):

Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Mountain regions

No Data

Northcentral and Northeast (NCNE):

Northern parts of PA and NJ (and beyond)

No Data


Legend (data from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

OBL (Obligate wetland): Almost always occurs in wetlands (estimated probability > 99%) under natural conditions

FACW (Facultative wetland): Usually occurs in wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in non-wetlands

FAC (Facultative): Equally likely to occur in wetlands (estimated probability 34% - 66%) or non-wetlands

FACU (Facultative upland): Usually occur in non-wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in wetlands (estimated probability 1% - 33%)

UPL (Obligate upland): Occur almost always (estimated probability > 99%) in non-wetlands under natural conditions

Taxonomic Rank

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Citrus
Subject: Citrus trifoliata (L.) Raf.