Citron (Citrus medica) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Citron is a thorny evergreen citrus shrub or small tree with yellow fruit. The fruit has a thick, fragrant rind that can be candied and far less juice than a lemon. Buddha’s hand, with its finger-like fruit, is a variety of citron.

Appearance

Appearance: A thorny evergreen shrub or small tree with yellow, strongly scented fruit.
Fruit: The thick rind can be candied; the fruit has little pulp or juice.

Look-alikes

lemonCitrus × limon

Cut fruit open: citron is dominated by thick rind, while a lemon has much more juicy pulp.

Why they get mixed upBoth can have yellow, oval citrus fruit.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: California citrus collections
warm, sheltered gardens
Range: Native from the western Himalaya toward Myanmar; specialty citrons are grown in California citrus collections.
Preferred conditions: Protect it from frost; warm sites suit it best.

Growing it

Care: In California, citron grows in specialty citrus collections. Shelter it from frost.

Name and classification

About the name: Buddha’s hand, with finger-like fruit, is one variety of citron; typical citron is treated as another.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

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