Citrus

fruit trees · plants · tropical

Three main fruits. All the citrus fruits we love, like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits, actually come from just three original types: citrons, mandarins, and pomelos. Scientists mixed these together over hundreds of years to create all the varieties we eat today.

Flowering plants. Citrus trees are part of a plant family called Rutaceae and produce pretty flowers before they make fruit. These flowers are often white or pink and smell wonderful.

Created by mixing. People didn't find oranges and grapefruits growing wild in nature. Farmers carefully bred different citrus plants together to create new types with the flavors and qualities they wanted.

Grow in warm places. Citrus trees love warm, tropical climates and need plenty of sunshine to make sweet, juicy fruits. That's why countries near the equator grow so many citrus crops.

Full of vitamin C. Citrus fruits are packed with vitamin C, which helps your body stay healthy and fight off colds. Just one orange or a few strawberries can give you most of your daily vitamin C.