ABSTRACT
The genus Citrus includes several important fruits such as oranges, mandarins, limes, lemons and grapefruits. The sweet orange probably originated in Southeast Asia, from which it spread to Arabia and Southern Europe. It is, however, produced in all subtropical areas of the world. The mandarins are also believed to have originated in Southeast Asia. The lemons (C. limon) probably originated as hybrids between the citron and the lime and are native to Southeast Asia, perhaps Burma or Southern China. They were widely distributed in the Middle East and Southern Europe by the twelfth century, from which they have spread to many countries. The limes probably originated in India and then spread to the Middle East and other tropical and subtropical countries. The Mexican or Key lime is a somewhat smaller and smoother type of the same species. The grapefruit, which is generally classed as a separate species (C. paradisi), is assumed to have originated in the West Indies, possibly as a seedling mutant from Citrus maxima or a hybrid of shaddock. The seedless cultivars with pink or red flesh are of commttrcial importance. The grapefruit is grown in many subtropical countries, including the United States (Florida and Texas), South Africa, and Israel (1), and is commonly used as a breakfast fruit.
