Image: Wikimedia Commons (See link for license)
Tachibana Orangeπ
Citrus tachibana
γΏγγγ
An evergreen small tree in the citrus family, a wild citrus native to Japan. Also called Yamato-tachibana. Long revered as a sacred plant β featured in the Nihon Shoki legend of the 'eternal fragrant fruit', in family crests, and on the Order of Culture medal. Designated as near-threatened.
Identification Points
- βElongated elliptic leaves with glossy dark-green surface
- βSmall spherical fruit (~3 cm) turning yellow-orange
- βFragrant white flowers in MayβJune
Habitat
Warm-climate mountains and coastal forests (rare in the wild)
Season
May to June (flowers), November to December (fruit)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Growth form
Tree
Evergreen/Deciduous
Evergreen
Flower color
White
Habitat
Forest
Phylogenetic Positionγγ«γ³η§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Sapindales > Rutaceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous to Paleogene (ca. 85β70 million years ago)
Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification