ABSTRACT
There is no doubt that the original genetic pool of the citrus plants originated in South-Eastern Asia. According to R.W. Scora, Citrus maxima (C. grandis), pummelo, Citrus medica, citron, Citrus reticulata, mandarin and similar, Citrus halimii, a recently discovered taxom, are the parent species of all the citrus known today. Citrus maxima was probably the first ancestor. It originated in Malaysia and Malay archipelago. Citrus medica originated in India and Citrus reticulata in China, Citrus halimii in Thailand and Malaya. All other species derive from cross-pollination between these biotypes:
• The common orange (Citrus sinensis) and the sour orange (Citrus aurantium) are considered hybrids of the pummelo with some mandarin.
