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Old 06-09-2005, 12:08   #1
WillowTheWhisp
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On the subject of oranges

The question about Jaffa and navel oranges got me thinking and googling to see where orange "species" were native to and I was quite surprised to discover that there is no such thing as a natural orange tree!

The orange is not a species! There are no wild oranges anywhere in the world. All species of oranges have been artificially cultivated. The latin name Citrus sinensis Osbeck, is a name of convenience created by horticulturalists and shunned by most taxonomists. The name Citrus X aurantium--belongs to sour and sweet oranges, as well as grapefruit, indicating their hybrid status. The orange is believed to be an artificially created cross between a pomelo (Citrus maxima) and a tangerine (Citrus reticulata).

Well fancy that then!
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