Citrus macroptera
Citrus macroptera, commonly known as Melanesian papeda, or wild orange, is a semi-wild species of citrus native to the Malesian ecoregion.
Some authorities consider C. macroptera to be a taxonomic synonym of C. hystrix, while others consider C. macroptera var. annamensis to be a synonym of C. hystrix, but not C. macroptera var. macroptera.
Citrus macroptera is cultivated widely in the Sylhet region of Bangladesh and the Barak Valley Division of the Indian state of Assam, where it is known as hatkhora.
Description
Citrus macroptera is so-named because of the large "wings" on the petiole, which is as large as the blade of the leaf.The tree, which has thorns, can reach in height. Its fruit is about in diameter, has a fairly smooth, moderately thick rind, and is yellow when ripe. The pulp of the fruit is greenish-yellow and dry. The juice is very bitter, and somewhat sour.
Varieties
The species is sometimes divided into four varieties, or alternatively into three separate species, as follows:- C. macroptera var. macroptera
- C. macroptera var. annamensis Tanaka -> C. combara Raf.
- C. macroptera var. combara Tanaka -> C. combara Raf.
- C. macroptera var. kerrii Swingle -> C. kerrii Tanaka
Cultivation
Citrus macroptera is cultivated on a small scale in home gardens in the northeast Indian states of Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya, where its fruit is used for various purposes. A cultivar of C. macroptera var. annamensis is grown in the Sylhet Division of northeastern Bangladesh.
Citrus macroptera is also commercially cultivated in South Africa, Spain, and Tonga. In Spain the plant serves as a rootstock for other Citrus species.