Citron

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Citron (lat. Citrus medica) Is a perennial plant from the Rutaceae family.

History

Citron is one of the most ancient plants: the very first mention of this culture is found in the Bible. In addition, Martial, Palladio, Virgil and Theophrastus wrote about this plant.

The origin of this unusual tree is covered with legends. Botanical scientists have not been able to come to a common conclusion about how exactly the citron got to European countries. Some historians suggest that in the III century. BC NS. brought to the Mediterranean by Alexander the Great - it is possible that he borrowed a citron from the banks of the Nile or from India or Mesopotamia.

Description

Citron is a compact shrub or small tree growing up to three meters in height. And its twigs, three to five centimeters long, are equipped with single axillary spines.

Dense and oblong-oval large citron leaves have winged and rather short petioles and differ in a slightly pointed shape. As a rule, the upper leaves of the growing shoots are characterized by a purple color, and on the shoots that have matured, they are painted in dark green tones.

Single or rather large citron flowers collected in inflorescences are painted white with a slight reddish tint. They can be both functionally male and bisexual.

Citron fruits are the largest among all citrus fruits: their diameter reaches from eight to twenty-eight centimeters, and the length of the fruit varies from twelve to forty centimeters. All fruits are oblong in shape and have a very thick skin (from two and a half to five centimeters). As for their color, it is usually yellow, but sometimes orange fruits are also found.

Where grows

In ancient times, this culture was actively cultivated in the Mediterranean, Western Asia and Western India. Long before the beginning of our era, citron was the very first to enter the territory of Europe.

Currently, citron is grown in many countries, however, in relatively small areas - these trees and their fruits cannot boast of widespread use in the food industry and become very frozen as soon as the thermometer drops to minus three or minus four degrees.

Usage

Fresh fruit pulp is not eaten, since it is not juicy and sour or sweet and sour with a pronounced bitterness. But citron fruits are quite widely used in the confectionery industry - all kinds of fillings and delicious jams are prepared from them.

The most valuable essential oil is obtained from the incredibly aromatic peel of the fruit, which is actively used not only for making candied fruits and jams, but also for flavoring culinary and confectionery products, as well as a wide variety of drinks.

The rare aromatic properties of citron allow it to be used in the perfumery industry. And Calabrians consider these fancy fruits a panacea for all diseases.

Growing

Citron has an extremely low yield - and no amount of efforts by gardeners helps to increase its volume. And they usually harvest in November.

This culture is not able to withstand low temperatures - even in the Mediterranean countries, citron is covered with reed mats. This measure is especially necessary for the citron growing near the sea or along the river banks.

Diseases and pests

In the case of excess moisture, however, as well as with its deficiency, citron leaves can be affected by various types of spots and begin to fall off very quickly.

And the main pests of citron are the mealybug, the ruthless red citrus mite and some species of scale insects. By the way, the secretions of scale insects are often populated with a sooty fungus.