Search Fact Sheets Virginia Tech Dendrology

trifoliate orange Rutaceae Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. Listen to the Latin Print a QR link to this factsheet symbol: POTR4
Leaf: Alternate, compound, 3 leaflets, 1 to 2 inches long, may be finely wavy toothed, thickened, petiole winged, shiny dark green.
Flower: White, 5 petals, 1 to 2 inches across and very fragrant, appearing in spring.
Fruit: Yellowish orange, 1 to 1 1/2 inches across, fuzzy and very sour, numerous seeds, ripen in late summer.
Twig: Moderate, numerous stiff 1 inch long thorns, green and angled, buds are small.
Bark: Light gray-brown, smooth.
Form: A small tree or bush with numerous vicious thorns and green stems

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Additional Range Information: Poncirus trifoliata is planted in the USDA hardiness zones shown above and may seed into the landscape. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information