Citrus japonica 'Hindsii'

Fruiting shoots of Hong Kong Kumquat

The Hong Kong Kumquat ( Fortunella hindsii ) is also called mini kumquat and is a Kumquatpflanzen - kind in the rue family ( Rutaceae ).

Description

The shrub or small thorny tree has firm, leathery, glossy green leaves with short, ungeflügeltem stem. The flowers are clusters in the leaf axils of the year shoots. They are small white, and fragrant.

The fruits are pea to cherry-size and the smallest fruits of the genus. They contain three to four fruit trays and up to three seeds. The fruits are ripening very decorative, bright orange and have a soft shell. Probably the seeds of songbirds are common.

Dissemination

The Hong Kong kumquat comes from Southeast Asia. Wild occurrences are known from Hong Kong and the adjacent hill and mountain regions in Guangdong province, China

Use

The small fruits are considered as conditionally edible, but are often very sour or bitter. The plant is cultivated by enthusiasts as a container plant and is very well suited for the education of decorative bonsai. Since Hong Kong kumquats begin to bear fruit very early and are highly productive, they have also been used for the production of citrus hybrids to obtain plants with these desirable properties. Known hybrids:

• Procimequat (C. aurantifolia x Fortunella ) × F. hindsii