"Flying Dragons" on Halloween
Autumn is the best time to see the fruits of the “Flying Dragon”, Poncirus trifoliata, and on this Halloween, they are quite abundant here at my Bedford, New York farm.
If you’ve never heard of it, Poncirus trifoliata is native to Northern China and the Korean Penisula, and was first introduced to the United States in 1915. Also known as the hardy orange, Japanese bitter-orange, and Chinese bitter orange, the Poncirus trifoliata is a type of slow-growing dwarf citrus tree-relative that is extremely disease-resistant. Its fruits are edible, but often unappealing because of its bitter taste. And since it is deciduous, meaning it sheds its leaves in winter, the thorny branches of the Poncirus trifoliata look like "dragons in flight".
Enjoy these photos.
-
- Poncirus trifoliata doesn’t grow too tall. These specimen trees reach a height of about eight to 15 feet at maturity with about a six-foot spread.
-
- I have three of these growing just behind my main greenhouse near one of two pumpkin patches.
-
- Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve seen dozens and dozens of fruits.
-
- The fruits are golf-sized and have a slightly downy feel.
-
- In spring, these trees have aromatic, small, white flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
-
- “Flying Dragon” has highly twisted, contorted stems, with sharp thorns, which makes it an excellent barrier hedge.
-
- Here’s a closer look at the fruit of the Poncirus trifoliate. They are orange and measure about an inch-and-a-half across.
-
- Its taste has been described as a cross between lemon and grapefruit, and though many find it inedible, it is popularly used for making marmalade.
-
- As the name implies, the leaves are three-lobed. They emerge yellowish-green in spring, turn glossy dark green in summer and fade to yellow in late autumn – the bottom leaves are beginning to turn.
-
- The Poncirus trifolate is most recognizable by the large one to two inch thorns on the shoots.
-
- These thorns protrude every couple of inches along the entire length of the stems.
-
- Once all its leaves drop, its extremely contorted branches resemble frightening dragons in flight – perfect for Halloween.
-
- Here is a dead, gray stem showing its painful thorns.
-
- This ancient plant has been used for everything from livestock fencing to medicinal treatments. Today, the hardy citrus is most frequently grown as an unusual ornamental, adding an exotic look to many gardens.
-
- Its orange fruits look so striking against the dark green foliage.
-
- Poncirus trifolata prefers full sun and well-drained, acidic soil.
-
- When grown as a shrub there’s little need for pruning except to remove dead, damaged or diseased shoots. If used as a hedge it should be pruned lightly just after flowering.
-
- These fruits start ripening in late September – I picked a handful, but most of them will stay on the tree.
-
- Here is one of the downy “Flying Dragon” fruits when opened – much like any citrus with its seeds and flesh. Have you ever seen a “Flying Dragon” or used these fruits in cooking? Let me know in the comments section below – I love hearing from you. And have a safe and happy Halloween.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
