Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why are Citrus fruits classified as hesperidia?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Sapindales
Tangerine (Citrus reticulata deliciosa)
Citrus fruits are classified as hesperidia (singular: hesperidium) because they are a specialized type of berry characterized by a leathery rind.12
In botanical terms, a hesperidium is defined by its structure:
* Leathery Rind: The outer peel is thick, leathery, and studded with oil glands.1
* Fleshy Interior: The interior of the fruit is divided into segments that are packed with tiny, juice-filled vesicles.1
While they are members of the Rutaceae family within the order Sapindales, their classification as hesperidia is based specifically on these morphological features of the ripened ovary wall, or pericarp.134