Cold-hardy citrus


Cold-hardy citrus is citrus with increased frost tolerance and which may be cultivated far beyond traditional citrus growing regions. Citrus species and citrus hybrids typically described as cold-hardy generally display an ability to withstand wintertime temperatures below. Cold-hardy citrus may be generally accepted 'true' species or hybrids involving various other citrus species. All citrus fruits are technically edible, though some have bitter flavors often regarded as unpleasant, and this variability is also seen in cold-hardy citrus fruits. Those listed as "inedible fresh" or "semi-edible" can be cooked to make marmalade.

Varieties

Varieties of true citrus considered cold-hardy, ordered from most to least hardy:
NameBinomialHardinessEdibilityNotes
Trifoliate orangeCitrus trifoliataInedible freshUsed as rootstock and will freely hybridize with other citrus
Ichang papedaCitrus cavalerieiInedible freshParent to a number of hybrids, including the yuzu, sudachi, ichang lemon/shangjuan, and others
Jiouyuezao mandarinCitrus reticulata 'Jiouyuezao'EdibleLong cultivated in China
Changsha mandarinCitrus reticulata 'Changsha'Edible but seedyLong cultivated in China
KumquatCitrus japonicaEdibleFruit eaten whole with a sweet skin and sour pulp
Desert limeCitrus glaucaEdible, Used in cooking.Fruit eaten whole
SatsumaCitrus reticulata 'Unshiu', syn. Citrus unshiushort-term Edible; excellentLong cultivated in China

Interspecific hybrids

Interspecific hybrid varieties considered cold-hardy, ordered from most to least hardy:
NameBinomialHardinessEdibilityNotes
CitrandarinCitrus reticulata × Citrus trifoliata e.g. Cultivar US852Edible'Changsha' citrandarin is the hardiest citrus hybrid
CitrangeCitrus × sinensis × Citrus trifoliataSemi-edible'Rusk' is considered the most edible citrange
CitrangequatCitrus japonica × CitrangeEdible'Thomasville' is considered the most edible citrangequat
CitrumeloCitrus × paradisi × Citrus trifoliataSemi-edible'Dunstan' is considered the most edible citrumelo
KabosuCitrus cavaleriei × Citrus x aurantiumEdible, Used in cookingLong cultivated in Japan
Shuangjuan (Ichang lemon)Citrus cavaleriei × Citrus maximaEdible, Used in cookingLong cultivated in China
YuzuCitrus cavaleriei × Citrus reticulataEdible, Used in cookingOriginally cultivated in China; spread to Japan, where many cultivars have been developed
SudachiCitrus x junos × Citrus leiocarpaEdible, Used in cookingLong cultivated in Japan
OrangequatCitrus sinensis × Citrus japonicaEdible'Nippon' is favored for edibility and hardiness
Rangpur limeCitrus medica × Citrus reticulataEdible, Used in cookingLong cultivated in South Asia
CalamondinCitrus reticulata × Citrus japonicaEdible, Used in cookingLong cultivated in the Philippines
ChinottoCitrus x aurantium var. 'myrtifolia'Edible. Used in cooking, too bitter to eat rawLong cultivated in Southern Italy, Malta and Libya