Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 8077391

Bitter Orange

Citrus aurantium

Also known as Sour Orange, Seville Orange, Bigarade Orange, Marmalade Orange

Bitter orange trees bear glossy evergreen foliage and remarkably fragrant blossoms known as neroli, which perfume orchards across subtropical regions. Sharp, slender spines guard the flexible twigs, while the textured, deep orange fruits persist on the canopy through the winter months. Widely cultivated as a sturdy, disease-resistant rootstock for sweet citrus varieties, the tree also readily naturalizes along damp woodlands and abandoned orchards.

AromaticFloweringEvergreen
Bitter Orange reference
Licensed reference(c) Alex Abair, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alex Abair · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Citrus Swallowtail Caterpillar
  • Asian Citrus Psyllid
  • Brown Soft Scale
ThreatsCitrus greening disease (Huanglongbing), citrus canker, extreme frost
HabitatsSubtropical forests, riverbanks, orchards, Mediterranean scrub
Life span50–100 years
Classification
  1. FamilyRutaceae
  2. SpeciesCitrus aurantium
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Wild fruits have toxic look-alikes; peel oils cause sun-induced rashes, and parts are toxic to pets.
Why it is dangerous
Peel oils contain furocoumarins that cause painful phytophotodermatitis upon sun exposure, as well as essential oils toxic to dogs and cats.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for prominently winged leaf stems, sharp branch thorns, rough dimpled orange fruit, and heavily scented white flowers.
What to do
Rinse hands immediately if fruit oils make contact with bare skin, and ensure pets do not chew leaves, twigs, or fallen rind.
Responsible observation
  • Pruning Care: Wear thick protective gloves to navigate the stiff, sharp spines hidden along mature branch junctions.
  • Sun Protection: Wash skin thoroughly with soap after handling broken peels before stepping outside into bright sunlight.
  • Pest Monitoring: Inspect leaf undersides for sticky honeydew or aphid clusters that attract black sooty mold.
Related species
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