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Citrus_x_paradisi - Macfad.

Common Name Grapefruit, Pomelo, Pamplemousse
Family Rutaceae
USDA hardiness 9-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known in the wild
Range A hybrid of garden origin, it probably arose in Barbados, perhaps as a cross between C. maxima and C. sinensis.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Full sun
Citrus_x_paradisi Grapefruit, Pomelo, Pamplemousse


https://edibleplants.org/
Citrus_x_paradisi Grapefruit, Pomelo, Pamplemousse
https://edibleplants.org/

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Citrus_x_paradisi is an evergreen Tree growing to 7 m (23ft) by 7 m (23ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

None known

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. The large fruit is commonly eaten raw, especially as a breakfast food[ 418 ]. It can also be added to fruit salads, or made into juices, marmalade etc[ 301 , 317 ]. A thick-skinned fruit, the pulp has a flavour that mixes acid, sweet and bitter[ 416 ]. The round fruit can be up to 15cm in diameter[ 418 ]. The fruit is commonly used to make juices[ 317 ]. The peel is candied and used in cakes etc[ 301 ]. It is also used as a source of pectin[ 317 ]. An essential oil obtained from the peel is used as a flavouring in soft drinks, chewing gum, sweets, baked goods, ice cream etc[ 301 , 317 , 418 ]. An oil can be obtained from the seed. When refined, it makes a good culinary oil[ 301 , 317 ].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The fruits, flowers and leaves are all used medicinally[ 317 ].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Other Uses: An oil is obtained from the seeds[ 46 ]. Used in dyeing cotton goods and for making a medium hard soap with good lathering qualities[ 46 ]. Container, Espalier, Standard, Specimen.

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Three main climates are suitable for commercial citrus production - tropical climates, subtropical with winter rain such as in the Mediterranean and semitropical with summer rainfall as found in Florida and southern Brazil[ 200 ]. The optimal temperatures for citrus cultivation range between 25 - 30°c, with the coldest month having an average minimum of at least 15°c[ 200 ]. Growth generally ceases below 13°c and above 38°c[ 200 ]. If there are dry periods of more than three months, then irrigation will be necessary[ 200 ]. This species is better suited to the tropics than the subtropics[ 307 ]. The flowers and fruit cannot tolerate frost, whilst the tree itself is killed at temperatures of -7°c[ 418 ]. Prefers a deep, well-drained but moisture-retentive loamy soil in full sun[ 200 ]. Tolerant of alkaline soils[ 307 ]. Established plants are drought tolerant[ 307 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6[ 200 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 7.3, tolerating 6 - 8.3[ 418 ] The first fruits can be harvested when the tree is 7 - 8 years old. The tree has an economical life of 30 - 35 years[ 418 ]. A fruit yield of 40 - 44 tonnes/ha is regarded as a good yield in Florida, whilst in Trinidad and Surinam average yields may be nearer 24 tonnes/ha[ 418 ]. Long days stimulate vegetative growth, whilst short days may stimulate flowering[ 418 ]. There are many named varieties[ 301 ]. Container, Espalier, Standard, Specimen.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

The seed is best sown in containers as soon as it is ripe, after thoroughly rinsing it[ 164 , 200 ]. Sow stored seed in containers as soon as possible]. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 13°c. Seedlings are liable to damp off so they must be watered with care and kept well ventilated. The seed is usually polyembryonic, two or more seedlings arise from each seed and they are genetically identical to the parent but they do not usually carry any virus that might be present in the parent plant[ 200 ]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until they are 10cm or more tall before planting out into their permanent positions. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. This species grows easily from cuttings[ 200 ]. Layering in October.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Other Names: Bombelmo, Chakotra, Kureip-purutu, Kuripa, Pu tao you.

Native Range

Found In: Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central America, China, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, East Africa, Ecuador, Europe, Fiji, French Guiana, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Israel, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Peru, Philippines, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Citrus x paradisiGrapefruit, Pomelo, PamplemousseTree7.0 9-11 MLMHNS411

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Macfad.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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