Myrtle-leaved orange

Myrtle-leaved-orange

Botanical name: Citrus myrtifolia
Common name: Myrtle-leaved orange, chinotto

General features: The myrtle-leaved orange tree has a dense foliage formed of small branches with short internodes, which give it a very elegant, natural globe-like habit. It has no thorns, being pleasant even to the touch. Its leaves, compared to other citrus trees, are smaller, pointed, dark green in colour and leathery in texture. The myrtle-leaved orange flowers are small and white. The fruits are small globes flattened at the ends and turn bright orange when they reach maturity.

Curiosity: The myrtle-leaved orange tree, a plant native to southern China, from which it derives its common name “chinotto”, was imported to Europe at the end of the 16th century by a navigator from Savona.

Ornamental virtues: The myrtle-leaved orange flowers are a real beauty; small and white in colour, they give off a sweet and surprising orange blossom scent. Flowering is abundant and occurs between the months of April and June.

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