Oranges ( Citrus)

Oranges or limes are all flowering plants of the Citrus clan members of the Rutaceae tribe (orange tribe). Its members are tree-shaped with fleshy fruits with fresh sour taste, although many of its members have a sweet taste. Sour taste comes from the content of citric acid which is to be contained in all its members.

The term "orange" is sometimes also pinned on some other clan members who are still related in the same tribe, such as the kinky. In ordinary language, the mention of "oranges" or "limes" (in Sumatra and Malaysia) often means "tangerines" or "sweet oranges". In Java, "lime" (or "limo") means "lime".

Oranges are very diverse and some species can cross each other and produce interspecific hybrid ('interspecific hybrid) which has a distinctive character, distinct from its parent species. This diversity often complicates the classification, naming and recognition of its members, as new people can see the difference after the flower or fruit appears. The result is not known clearly how many types. Recent studies have shown a strong linkage of Citrus with the Fortunella (kumkuat) genus, Poncirus, and Microcitrus and Eremocitrus, so there is a possibility of merging. Citrus itself has two subspecies (subgenus), namely Citrus and Papeda.

The origin of oranges is from East Asia and Southeast Asia, forming an arc stretching from Japan to the south and then turning west toward eastern India. Sweet oranges and citron (lemon) are from East Asia, while grapefruit, lime and lime are from Southeast Asia.

Many members of oranges are used by humans as food, fragrance, and industry. Citrus fruits are a good source of vitamin C and fragrances / perfumes. The leaves are also used as spices.