Ichang Lemon
Encyclopedia
Citrus ichangensis, the Ichang papeda (Chinese: 宜昌橙), is a slow-growing species of the genus
Citrus, which has characteristic lemon
-scented foliage and flower
s. It is native to south-western and west-central China and is likely named for the city of Yichang
(宜昌), in China
's Hubei
province. It is sometimes referred to as Citrus × ichangensis.
The Ichang papeda's main claim to fame is its unusual hardiness. With the exception of Poncirus trifoliata
(which is not generally regarded as a true citrus), it is the hardiest citrus plant, tolerating both moderate frost and damp conditions. For this reason, it is perhaps the only species of true citrus which can be reliably grown outside in the temperate areas of Europe
and the United States
.
Relatively rare in cultivation, the Ichang papeda is a large shrub or small tree, growing to 3-4.5 m, and produces a small, Mandarin-like fruit. Leaves feature a broad petiole, and resemble the leaves of the yuzu
and the Kaffir lime
in appearance. The fruit has a fragrant, but rugged rind, and may be oval, spherical, or flattened in shape, ripening to yellow or orange. The fruit contains many large monoembryonic seeds and a small quantity of bitter or sour juice; some fruits lack juice entirely and are instead filled with a mass of pith and seeds.
The Ichang papeda is occasionally grown as an ornamental, and it is a parent to a number of hybrids. The best known of these include the Ichang lemon
(also known as the shangjuan), and the yuzu
, both of which have a number of culinary uses and are notably cold-hardy.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Citrus, which has characteristic lemon
Lemon
The lemon is both a small evergreen tree native to Asia, and the tree's ellipsoidal yellow fruit. The fruit is used for culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world – primarily for its juice, though the pulp and rind are also used, mainly in cooking and baking...
-scented foliage and flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
s. It is native to south-western and west-central China and is likely named for the city of Yichang
Yichang
Yichang is a prefecture-level city located in Hubei province of the People's Republic of China. It is the second largest city in Hubei province after the province capital, Wuhan. The Three Gorges Dam is located within its administrative area, in Yiling District.-History:In ancient times Yichang...
(宜昌), in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
's Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
province. It is sometimes referred to as Citrus × ichangensis.
The Ichang papeda's main claim to fame is its unusual hardiness. With the exception of Poncirus trifoliata
Trifoliate orange
Trifoliate Orange, Poncirus trifoliata , is a member of the family Rutaceae, closely related to Citrus, and sometimes included in that genus, being sufficiently closely related to allow it to be used as a rootstock for Citrus...
(which is not generally regarded as a true citrus), it is the hardiest citrus plant, tolerating both moderate frost and damp conditions. For this reason, it is perhaps the only species of true citrus which can be reliably grown outside in the temperate areas of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Relatively rare in cultivation, the Ichang papeda is a large shrub or small tree, growing to 3-4.5 m, and produces a small, Mandarin-like fruit. Leaves feature a broad petiole, and resemble the leaves of the yuzu
Yuzu
The yuzu is a citrus fruit and plant originating in East Asia. It is believed to be a hybrid of sour mandarin and Ichang papeda...
and the Kaffir lime
Kaffir lime
The kaffir lime, Citrus × hystrix, Rutaceae), is also known as combava, kieffer lime, limau purut, jeruk purut or makrut lime,...
in appearance. The fruit has a fragrant, but rugged rind, and may be oval, spherical, or flattened in shape, ripening to yellow or orange. The fruit contains many large monoembryonic seeds and a small quantity of bitter or sour juice; some fruits lack juice entirely and are instead filled with a mass of pith and seeds.
The Ichang papeda is occasionally grown as an ornamental, and it is a parent to a number of hybrids. The best known of these include the Ichang lemon
Shangjuan
The shangjuan, or Ichang lemon The shangjuan, or Ichang lemon The shangjuan, or Ichang lemon (Citrus ichangensis × C. maxima, is a citrus fruit and plant originating in East Asia. It is believed to be a hybrid of pomelo and Ichang papeda. The fruit looks a bit like a grapefruit, and can be either...
(also known as the shangjuan), and the yuzu
Yuzu
The yuzu is a citrus fruit and plant originating in East Asia. It is believed to be a hybrid of sour mandarin and Ichang papeda...
, both of which have a number of culinary uses and are notably cold-hardy.