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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Fortunella is an evergreen Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft 2in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Citrus japonica.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Fruit - usually cooked and used in jellies, preserves etc[183] or used as a flavouring, but it can also be eaten raw. The whole fruit, including the peel, is eaten[3, 132]. The fruit is acid whilst the peel is sweet[3, 132]. The peel is golden-yellow, smooth, thinner and somewhat sweeter than the oval kumquat, F. margarita[183]. The fruit is rich in pectin and makes excellent marmalades and jellies[240]. Vitamin C content is up to 0.24 mg/cc[240]. The fruit is about 4cm long[260].

References More on Edible Uses

Composition

Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.

Fruit (Dry weight)

356 Calories per 100g
Water : 0%
Protein: 5.2g; Fat: 2.5g; Carbohydrate: 89g; Fibre: 10g; Ash: 3.3g;
Minerals - Calcium: 240mg; Phosphorus: 300mg; Iron: 5.5mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 835mg; Potassium: 1172mg; Zinc: 0mg;
Vitamins - A: 1000mg; Thiamine (B1): 0.74mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0.4mg; Niacin: 4.2mg; B6: 0mg; C: 305mg;
Reference: [ 218]
Notes: The figures given here are the median of a range given in the report.

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 plant is antiphlogistic, antivinous, carminative, deodorant, stimulant[178, 218]. The leaves and fruit contain an essential oil, whilst the fruit also contains sugars and organic acids[283]. The fresh fruit is antitussive and expectorant - in Vietnam it is steamed with sugar candy and used in the treatment of sore throats[283]. It is said to be very good for infants[283].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

The fresh leaves and young twigs yield 0.21% essential oil that might be suitable for perfumery[240].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a moderately heavy loam with a generous amount of compost and sand added and a very sunny position[200]. Prefers a pH of 5 to 6[200]. Plants are intolerant of water logging[200]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, when dormant it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c[200]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. Kumquats are widely cultivated in China for their edible fruit, there are many named varieties[3]. The plant is less vigorous, somewhat thorny and considerably more cold tolerant[183] (the report gives no details of what this is in comparison to!). Kumquats are hardier than the various Citrus species since they cease growth when temperatures drop below 13°c but, for best results, it is best to grow them in a climate where temperatures do not fall lower than between 4 and 10°c[3]. This is because the fruit is sweeter when it ripens in warm conditions[3].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm airy position in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first two winters. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts and give some winter protection from the cold for a year or two.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Guangdong Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Hong Kong

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Citrofortunella floridana	Limequat	Tree	0.0	-	LMH	N	M	2	0
Citrofortunella microcarpa	Calamondin Orange	Tree	5.0	-	LMH	N	M	3	0
Citrofortunella swinglei	Limequat	Tree	0.0	-	LMH	N	M	2	0
Fortunella japonica	Round Kumquat	Shrub	2.5	8-11	LMH	SN	M	3	1	2
Fortunella margarita	Oval Kumquat	Shrub	3.0	7-10	LMH	N	M	3	0	1

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.

Fortunella - (Thunb.)Swingle.