Botanical Magazine 106 - 1880.pdf - hibiscus.org

TAB. 6513.
CITRUS TRIFOLIATA.
Native of Japan.
Nat. Ord. ROTACE.E.•Tribe AURANTIE.E.
Genus CITBUS, Louriero; (Bentk. et Hook. f. Gen. PI. vol. i. p. 305 et 992.)
CiTBtrs trifoliata ; glaberrima, spinosa, foliolis ellipticis subacutis v. obtusis
crenulatis, floribus subsessilibus solitariis 4-5-meris, sepalis oblongo-ovatis
concavis, petalis multo longioribus obovatis concavis, filamentis siib•qualibus
basi dilatatis, disco annulari.
C. trifoliata, Linn. Sp. PI. 1101 ; Franck, et Sav. PL Jap. voh i. p. 74.
C. trifolia, Thunb. Fl. Jap. p. 294.
iEgle sepiaria, DC. Prodr. vol. i. p. 538.
Pseudsegle sepiaria, Miq. in Ann. Mus. Lugd. Bat. vol. ii. p. 83 ; Kampf. Am•n.
p. 801, t. 802.
This singular and free-flowering shrub is much less
known than it deserves to be, it being, in fact, almost un-
known in English gardens, though perfectly hardy, free-
flowering, and sweet-scented. It has stood unprotected in
the open border of the Arboretum of Kew for several years,
and hitherto has been quite uninjured, even the tender
young shoots resisting the early frosts and long-protracted
cold of the last two inclement seasons ; a fact the more
singular when it is considered that the whole plant is ever-
green in respect of leaves, branches, and spines, though the
leaves are deciduous.
G. trifoliata is a native of Japan, where it is much culti-
vated both as a garden plant and for fences ; its fruit,
which resembles a small orange, is described as very bitter,
and having laxative properties. As an early-flowering and
sweet-scented hardy shrub, this Citrus is likely td prove a
favourite, and should it be eventually unable to withstand a
winter of unusual severity in the open border, it may still be
safe on a wall with or without protection. The flowers
SEPTEMBER 1ST, 1880.