Sweet Orange (Citrus × sinensis) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Sweet orange is the tree that produces the familiar oranges found in U.S. produce aisles. Its cultivated forms include navels for fresh eating and Valencias often used for juice.

Appearance

Appearance: The fruit is round to slightly oval, about 2–5 in (5–13 cm) across. Its rind and juicy flesh turn orange as it ripens.
Growth form: It is an evergreen tree with glossy leaves and some thorns.
Flowers: Clusters of fragrant white flowers grow at the ends of branches.
Fruit: In Ventura County, California, navel oranges are harvested in winter, while Valencia oranges are harvested in summer.

Look-alikes

Mandarin orangeCitrus reticulata

A mandarin is usually smaller and its thinner peel comes off more easily by hand. A sweet orange usually has a firmer rind that takes more work to peel.

Why they get mixed upBoth have orange rinds and segmented flesh.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: citrus groves
warm home gardens
Range: Sweet oranges are grown in Florida, California, Texas, and Arizona.
Preferred conditions: The tree needs sun and mild winters; outdoor growing suits 9–11.

Name and classification

About the name: Sweet oranges grew from ancient crosses between mandarin and pomelo lineages.
Varieties and forms: Navel, Valencia, and blood oranges are familiar cultivated forms of this tree.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

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