Citrus is a common term and genus of flowering plants in the family Rutaceae, originating in tropical and subtropical southeast Asia. The plants are large shrubs or small trees, reaching 5-15 m tall, with spiny shoots and alternately arranged evergreen leaves with an entire margin. The flowers are solitary or in small corymbs, each flower 2-4 cm diameter, with five (rarely four) white petals and numerous stamens; they are often very strongly scented. The fruit is a hesperidium, a specialized berry, globose to elongated, 4-30 cm long and 4-20 cm diameter, with a leathery rind surrounding segments filled with pulp vesicles. The genus is commercially important as many species are cultivated for their fruit, which are eaten fresh or pressed for juice.

Citrus

Production Calendar

Commodity

Citrus

Navels

Valencias

Lemons

Ruby Red Grapefruit

Limes

Varieties

Oranges

Navel oranges are a great eating orange. They are very sweet and juicy with minimal seeds.
Valencia oranges are also known as “Summer” oranges. Their orange, juicy flesh with few seeds makes them excellent for juicing as well as eating out of hand.
Arizona Sweets are delicious oranges great for juicing or eating out of hand.

Lemons

Lemons have a yellow flesh and a thick bright yellow skin. They are juicy with sour taste. They are great for juicing and cooking, perfect for a cold glass of lemonade.

Grapefruit

Ruby grapefruit has a pinkish flesh with a yellow skin. Their sweet and juicy flavor makes them great for juicing or eating out of hand.
Ruby Red is red fleshed with a yellow skin highlighted with a red blush. They are sweet and juicy.

Limes

Persian limes are sold green although they yellow as they reach full ripeness. They are larger and have thicker skin than the Key lime. The Persian lime is juicy and sour with an occasional seed; they are hardy and have a long shelf life.