Tropical Plant "Tangerine"
Citrus reticulata

Characteristics - The tangerine is an exotic fruit bearer, native to southeast China and northeast India, where it has been cultivated since 1000 BC; it is widely cultivated in domestic and commercial orchards in Brazil, it is characterized by its easily separated segments and loose skin, that is easy to remove. It is a small, evergreen tree with axillary thorns, 3-5 m tall. Leaves simple, coriaceous, glabrous and lustrous, 3-7 cm long, with the petiole being narrowly alate, 3-4 cm. Flowers fragrant, axillary, solitary or in groups of 2-4; they form in August and September. Fruits are round, flattened at the "poles", the skin is thin with gladular points, the pulp divided into 8-15 segments, an acidic-sweet flavor, they mature in the autumn. The photos that follow, show the main cultivars planted in Brazil. The 'Ponkan' cultivar is shown on this page.

Uses - The fruits are consumed, mainly, in natura, fresh or as juice.

Propagation - by seeds and grafting.