Citrus margarita

C. margarita grows tall. The branches have few, to no spines. It has simple, alternate leaves, which are dark green above, and pale below and have a leathery texture. They are lanceolate (narrow) with an obtuse tip. The peduncles are . The clavate stigma is hollow and enlarged at the top. The fruits of C. margarita are oblong, measuring , and have orange peels and flesh. The peel is and sweet, with conspicuous oil cells. The flesh is sour, with spindle-shaped juice vesicles. Each fruit has 2-5 green monoembryonic seeds that need to be removed before consumption. Its cotyledons are light green. == Distribution and habitat ==

C. margarita is native to southeast China. It is cultivated in Central and South America, Sicily, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Hawaii and Malaysia. It was introduced to Florida in 1885 from Japan, where it became the most commonly cultivated variety of kumquat. It does best in temperatures of in the summer, and is frost-tolerant, withstanding temperatures as low as . It prefers full sun, however it can tolerate light shade. It does poorly in soils that are water-logged or rich with calcium carbonate, preferring well-drained soils with a pH of 6-6.5. == Ecology ==

C. margarita are relatively cold-hardy, due to their ability to become semi-dormant between late fall and early spring. == Cultivation ==

Occasionally, the oval kumquat is grafted on the calamondin. == Use ==

The fruits of C. margarita can be eaten fresh, pickled, preserved in syrup or made into jam. If macerated in vodka or another clear spirit, they can be made into liqueur. They are often added to hot or iced tea in the Philippines. The tree is often planted as an ornamental tree. == Gallery ==

File:Fortunella.jpg File:Owoce Kumkwat.jpg File:Quinotos.jpg File:Kumquat geschlossen offen.jpg == References ==