Citrus reticulata (Mandarin)

Native to China Southeast, this is a tree in the Rutaceae family. The Mandarin or Tangerine is known for its sweet fruit, which is less sour than many other citrus fruits, and for its easy-to-peel thin skin and juicy segments. They rank second to sweet oranges in terms of cultivation among citrus fruits. Notably, Brazil and Argentina lead in Mandarin production, In China, the commercial cultivation of Mandarins is part of a larger citrus fruit industry, which is the largest globally, followed by Brazil and India. The species also exhibits a rich pharmacopeia, containing compounds like vitamin C, flavonoids, and volatile oils which offer a range of medicinal benefits including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antiseptic properties, among others. The fruit is not as sweet as the tangerines from the U.S. Photographed in the department of Quindio, Colombia.