ABSTRACT

The large citrus fruits of today evolved originally from small, edible berries over millions of years. Citrus plants are native to subtropical and tropical regions of Asia and the Malay Archipelago, and they were initially domesticated in these areas. The generic name “citrus”, originated from Latin and it is referred to the plant now known as Citron (C. medica). These plants are large shrubs or small to moderate-sized trees, reaching 5–15 m (16–49 ft) tall. They have spiny shoots and alternately arranged evergreen leaves with an entire margin. The world’s largest citrus-producing countries are Brazil, China, the United States, Mexico, India, and Spain.