Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Citrus x paradisi Macf.

Probably a hybrid of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck x Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. A rounded tree, sometimes spiny, with glossy green, oval leaves and large, white flowers followed by large, globose, thin-skinned, juicy, yellow-orange fruit, the pulp white, pink or red. [RHSD, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

Captain Shaddock is reputed to have brought the first seeds of Citrus maxima to Jamaica and subsequently to have bred the Grapefruit. First recorded in 1750 from Barbados. Figured in Fleurs Fruits et Feuillages Choisis de l’Ille de Java [van Nooten/1880]. The figure shows a pink-fleshed fruit.

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues as ‘Forbidden Fruit’ [Orange tribe no.18/1843]. This plant was originally received per ‘Sovereign’ in February 1831 [MP A2948].

Notes

Often mis-identified with the Shaddock, Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. which see. The common name Pomelo or its variations is often applied to both Citrus x paradisi Macf. and Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr., adding to the confusion between these plants.

Citrus decumana L. is often given as a synonym of Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. According to ‘Sorting Citrus Names’ Citrus decumana L. nom. illeg., which I take to be Citrus decumana Murr. non L., applies to this plant while Citrus decumana L. applies to the Grapefruit, Citrus x paradisi Macf. [www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au/new/Citrus.html].  

Published May 04, 2010 - 03:37 PM | Last updated May 04, 2010 - 03:44 PM

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The figure shows a flowering shoot, large yellow-green fruit + a segment of red fruit. Van Nooten, 1880.

Citrus paradisi Macf. | van Nooten/1880 | BHL

Family Rutaceae
Category
Region of origin

Garden origin, West Indies
Synonyms
  • Citrus paradisi Macf.
  • Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. var. uvacarpa
  • Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck var. racemosa (Roem.) B.C.Stone
  • Citrus decumana L.
Common Name

Grapefruit, Forbidden Fruit, Western Grapefruit, Pomelo
Name in the Camden Park Record

Forbidden Fruit 
Confidence level high