Citrus cavaleriei

Citrus cavaleriei, the Ichang papeda (Chinese: Template:Wikt-lang), is a slow-growing species of papeda that has characteristic lemon-scented foliage and flowers.

It is native to southwestern and west-central China<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and is likely named for the city of Yichang (Template:Lang), in China's Hubei province.

The Ichang papeda is notable for its unusual hardiness. With the exception of Poncirus trifoliata, it is the hardiest citrus plant, tolerating both moderate frost and damp conditions.<ref name="Spiegel-Roy32">Template:Cite bookTemplate:Dead link</ref>

Description

Relatively rare in cultivation, the Ichang papeda is a large shrub or small tree, growing to Template:Cvt,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and produces a small, mandarin-like fruit. Leaves feature a broad petiole, and resemble the leaves of the yuzu and the kaffir lime in appearance. The fruit has a fragrant, but rugged rind, and may be oval, spherical, or flattened in shape, ripening to yellow or orange. It contains many large monoembryonic seeds and a small quantity of bitter or sour juice; some fruits lack juice entirely and are instead filled with a mass of pith and seeds.Template:Cn

The Ichang papeda is occasionally grown as an ornamental plant.Template:Cn

Ichang papeda fruits

Hybrids

The Ichang papeda has been hybridised with many other citrus varieties, notably to produce hybrids that are relatively cold-hardy. Many of these hybrids also have many culinary applications:

• Kabosu - An Ichang papeda x Bitter orange cross.
• Shangjuan (also known as the Ichang lemon)<ref name="Spiegel-Roy32" /> - A cross between an Ichang papeda and a Pomelo.
• Yuzu<ref name="Spiegel-Roy32" /> - A naturally occurring hybrid between an Ichang papeda and a Mandarin orange.
  • Hyuganatsu - A Yuzu x Pomelo cross.
    • Haruka - A Hyuganatsu x Natsudaidai cross.
  • Jabara - Yuzu x Mandarin orange cross.
  • Sudachi - A cross between a Yuzu and a Koji/Tachibana orange.