trifoliate orange
Sapindales > Rutaceae > Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.
Synonym(s): hardy orange
Trifoliate orange is a deciduous shrub or small tree that grows from 8-30 ft. (2.4-9.1 m) in height. The leaves are alternate, compound (trifoliate), up to 2 in. (5.1 cm) long and have a winged petiole. The twigs are green with stout, 1 in. (2.5 cm) long thorns. The bark is conspicuously green-striped. Spring flowers are white, 5-petaled, 1-2 in. (2.5-5.1 cm) in diameter and showy. Fruit is a 1.5-2 in. (3.8-5.1 cm) diameter, dull yellow, sticky orange (berry). Trifoliate orange invades woodlands, forest edges, fence rows and urban green spaces.

Selected Images

View All Images

Number:1539097
Description: Foliage;
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5344048
Description: Plant(s);
Photographer:Nancy Fraley, USDI National Park Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5379606
Description: Plant(s);
Photographer:Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5344049
Description: Plant(s);
Photographer:Nancy Fraley, USDI National Park Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1539098
Description: Stem(s);
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1539101
Description: Flower(s);
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5379618
Description: Stem(s);

May

Photographer:Steve Manning, Invasive Plant Control
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1539099
Description: Flower(s);
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1539105
Description: Plant(s); in flower
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5379617
Description: Seedling(s);

seedling and fruit in November

Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1539100
Description: Fruit(s);
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5379611
Description: Fruit(s);

August

Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1391363
Description: Twig(s)/Shoot(s);
Photographer:John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5379609
Description: Feature(s);

fruits and thorns in August

Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:2155077
Description: Fruit(s);
Photographer:John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1391365
Description: Fruit(s);
Photographer:John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5379610
Description: Fruit(s);

November

Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1539104
Description: Plant(s);
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1539103
Description: Plant(s);

fruiting

Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1539106
Description: Plant(s);
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5344050
Description: Infestation;
Photographer:Nancy Fraley, USDI National Park Service
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 

External Links

Invasive Reference(s)

Subject Reference(s)

  • USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. - http://plants.usda.gov/