Food Plants International - Plant Fact Sheets Citrus reticulata - Mandarin
Edible portion: Fruit, Herb, Flavouring, Spice, Flowers
A small evergreen tree up to 4-8 m tall. It spreads to 2 m across. The stem is erect, branching and thorny. The leaves are dark green, and long and narrow in shape. They are 3-4 cm long. There is only a narrow wing on the leaf stalk. It has a few or no spines. The flowers are white and star shaped. They are 2.5-4 cm across and have a scent. Fruit are almost round and the skin peels off easily. The fruit are 4-8 cm long. The flesh is red, juicy and sweet.
A subtropical plant. The hardiest of the citrus. It grows from sea level up to 2300 m altitude in the tropics. They do best between 800 m and 1200 m altitude. A well drained soil is needed. They also prefer a drier climate. It is drought and frost resistant. They need a temperature above 3-5 °C. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.