sweet orange

The sweet orange, scientifically known as Citrus × sinensis, is a small tree or shrub belonging to the genus Citrus. It produces a nearly round fruit with a leathery, oily rind and sweet, juicy inner flesh.1

The sweet orange tree typically grows to about 6 meters (20 feet) tall and has glossy, ovate evergreen leaves and fragrant white flowers. The fruit is a modified berry called a hesperidium, with flesh divided into segments. While usually round with orange pulp, variations exist, such as the flattened mandarin or the red-pulped blood orange.1

Oranges are believed to originate from Southeast Asia and have been cultivated for centuries, spreading through trade and exploration. Today, they are grown in subtropical and tropical regions worldwide. Oranges are a good source of vitamin C and are consumed fresh or processed into juice, essential oils, and marmalade.1