Mandarin trees are evergreens native to southern China that bear small citrus fruit with thin, easy-to-peel skin. Americans also call the fruit tangerines.

Appearance

Growth form
An evergreen shrub or small tree.
Leaves
The leaves have tiny oil glands that give citrus foliage its scent.
Flowers
White, fragrant flowers appear along the leafy branches.
Fruit
The orange fruit is usually flattened and about 2–3 in (5–8 cm) across. Its thin skin peels away readily.

Look-alikes

SatsumaCitrus deliciosa

The fruit can be so similar that a casual photo may not settle the name. A cultivar label is more useful than fruit color alone.

Why they get mixed upBoth are small, easy-peeling citrus fruits.

Where it lives

Typical habitats
  • Citrus groves
  • Warm gardens
Range
Native to southern China and grown as a fruit tree in California.

Conservation

IUCN Red List
NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed
7 sources
  1. iNaturalist taxon 1611056
  2. Kew: Citrus reticulata general information
  3. UC IPM: Mandarin-Type Groups and Variety Examples
  4. 農林水産省: カンキツ属（マンダリン類）審査基準
  5. 農林水産省: 特集1 みかん
  6. 국립생물자원관: 귤나무 학명과 식재 목록
  7. 농림수산성: 폰칸과 온주밀감 작물명
Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) — identification, habitat & look-alikes | Moeyo