The orange tree is a small tropical to semitropical, evergreen flowering plant. It can reach a height of about 5-8 meters. Oranges are seasonal fruits. A typical orange can be 3 inches in diameter, and weighs 100 -150 g. The flowers of an orange tree are white in color and have a wonderful fragnance. The blooming period of flowers is in spring. The fruits ripen in fall or winter.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Citrus
Species: C. sinensis
History of Orange
It is believed that oranges were first produced in southeast Asia, sometime around 4000 BC. It was taken to Africa by travelers and found its way in the Roman soil by 200 BC. Sour oranges were introduced to the Arabs by 10 century A.D. The Portuguese came up with a new variety of orange called the Portugal orange. It is thought that Christopher Columbus was the first person to bring the seeds of orange to America during his second voyage in 1493. By 1820, orange grooves were thriving in St. Augustine, Florida. In 1873, three orange trees were brought from Brazil and planted in Riverside, California. It is interesting to note that one of the trees is still alive and bearing fruits. Continue reading
