Citrus

Citrus is a genus of flowering trees and shrubs in the family Rutaceae, encompassing citrus fruits like oranges, mandarins, lemons, grapefruits, pomelos, and limes. Native to South, East, and Southeast Asia, Melanesia, and Australia, these plants have been used and domesticated by indigenous people since ancient times. Citrus cultivation spread to Micronesia and Polynesia through the Austronesian expansion, later reaching the Middle East and the Mediterranean via the incense trade route, and finally to the Americas from Europe. Renowned for their fragrant aromas and complex flavors, citrus are among the most popular cultivated fruits. The genus exhibits a propensity for hybridization, resulting in a complex taxonomy and numerous varieties with diverse appearances and flavors. The evolutionary origin of Citrus is traced to the foothills of the Himalayas, with modern cultivars derived from a few core ancestral species through hybridization. The genus also includes lesser-known species like Australian limes and kumquats.