page created 5th Nov 06 |
This is the contorted form of the Japanese Bitter Orange, Poncirus trifoliata. Sometimes
called 'monstrosa', or the Japanese name Karatachi 'hiryo'. Often used
as a dwarfing rootstock for citrus varieties, it is hardy to around -15C and produces
round fruit about 2-4cms diameter. The fruits look like small oranges but
are extremely bitter and often full of seeds. The photos here were taken in my garden in England on a beautiful sunny morning in early November. The plants are all six year old seedlings, at various stages of leaf fall. They have not yet fruited. |
