Mandarin or tangerine
Family Rutaceae
Citrus reticulata, the mandarin or tangerine (C. reticulata 1), is a small tree, up to 8 m tall, with small elliptic or lanceolate leaves with narrowly winged petioles and small white axillary flowers with about 20 stamens. The fruit is globose to depressed, 5-8 cm in diameter, usually orange-red when ripe, with a loose and thin peel. The pulp is sweet and juicy, with a characteristic flavour.
Distribution
The mandarin is a native of China and reached Europe early in the 19th century, and the US about the middle of that century. Today mandarins are grown in most tropical and subtropical countries. Commercial cultivation (C. reticulata 2) is mainly in South Europe and the southern US.
Use
Mandarins are eaten fresh as a dessert fruit and segments are canned.