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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Fortunella margarita is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
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. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses: Pectin

Fruit - raw or cooked[183]. They can also be used in jellies, preserves etc or as a flavouring[183]. The whole fruit, rind as well, is eaten raw. It is best to first squeeze and massage the fruit in order to combine the flavours of the flesh and the rind[183]. After ripening the fruit gradually loses water content, becomes richer in flavour and is then at its best for making preserves[183]. The fruit is up to 4cm in diameter[200]. The fruit is rich in pectin, the inner peel containing about 10%[218].

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.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Pectin

None known

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 between -5 and -10°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 sometimes cultivated in China for their edible fruit, there are some named varieties[200]. They are hardier than the various Citrus species since they cease growth when temperatures drop below 13°c but, for best results, they are best grown 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:

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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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 Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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

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 margarita - (Lour.)Swingle.