Citrus × microcarpa (Calamondin)

Developed in cultivation from mandarin and kumquat ancestry, this small evergreen tree or shrub is widely grown in tropical Asia. Its upright branches carry dense, glossy oval leaves and are nearly thornless. Fragrant white flowers with five petals are followed by small, rounded fruits whose thin rind turns orange at maturity. The rind is sweet and edible, while the juicy orange pulp is distinctly sour and contains a few seeds. Flowering and fruiting can recur through the year in warm conditions, and mature fruits hold well on the tree. The juice is used in drinks, sauces and food flavorings. Photographed in Floridablanca and Armenia, Colombia.