Sweet Orange
Citrus × aurantium f. aurantium
- Native to:
- Guam, Palau, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rutaceae
- Genus:
- Citrus
- Species:
- Citrus × aurantium f. aurantium
- USDA Symbol:
- CISI3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 900 cm
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
American sunflower moth (Homoeosoma electella), American sunflower moth (Homoeosoma electellum), Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon), black-shaded platynota (Platynota flavedana), Coleotechnites citriella, common gray (Anavitrinella pampinaria), Cosmet moth (Pyroderces rileyi), Cryptoblabes sp., Dichomeris citrifoliella, Egira curialis, Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), fruit-tree leafroller (Archips argyrospila), Giant leopard moth (Hypercompe scribonia), Glover's Bagworm Moth (Cryptothelea gloverii), Marmara salictella, navel orangeworm (Amyelois transitella), Omnivorous Leafroller (Platynota stultana), Omnivorous Leafroller (Platynota rostrana), orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia citrana), Prochalia pygmaea, Pyroderces badia, Southern armyworm (Spodoptera eridania), Tallula sp., Urodus parvula, Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), zebra caterpillar moth (Melanchra picta), Zenodochium citricolella, Androgeus Swallowtail (Papilio androgeus), Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon), Broad-banded Swallowtail (Papilio astyalus), Ruby-spotted Swallowtail (Papilio anchisiades)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds are polyembryonic and should be planted fresh for best results. Germination is best at 25-30°C.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI