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Federal Noxious Weed TDA Noxious Weed TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species 
Invasive Plant Atlas of the USNOTE:
means species is on that list.
Poncirus trifoliata
Trifoliate orange
Synonym(s): Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.
Family: Rutaceae
Duration and Habit: Perennial shrub
Photographer: John D. Byrd
Source: Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org
Description
Trifoliate orange is a deciduous shrub or small tree that grows from 8-30 ft. (2.4-9.1 m) in height. The leaves are alternate, compound '3-lobed' (trifoliate), up to 2 in. (5.1 cm) long and have a winged petiole. The twigs are green with stout, 1 in. (2.5 cm) long thorns. The bark is conspicuously green-striped. Spring flowers are white, 5-petaled, 1-2 in. (2.5-5.1 cm) in diameter and showy. The fruit are edible but they are very acidic, sour, and seedy. They ripen to a bright yellow and are usually 1-2.5 inches in diameter.
Native Lookalikes: Currently no information available here yet, or there are no native Texas species that could be confused with Trifoliate orange.
Ecological Threat: Trifoliate orange invades woodlands, forest edges, fence rows and urban green spaces. They grow in the understory very rapidly, and are able to shade out native plants. Their vicious thorns do not provide adequate habitat or shelter for nesting birds, squirrels or burrowing animals.
Biology & Spread: Flowers bloom from April to May, fully covering the branches. Fuzzy green fruit appear from July to October and contain multiple seeds within They ripen to a bright yellow. Animals help disperse the seeds.
History: Trifoliate Orange is used as the root stock for many Citrus plants due to its hardiness.
U.S. Habitat: woodlands, forest edges, fence rows and urban green spaces.
Distribution
U.S. Nativity: Introduced
Native Origin: China
U.S. Present: AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV
Distribution in Texas:
Mapping
Invaders of Texas Map: Poncirus trifoliata
EDDMapS: Poncirus trifoliata
USDA Plants Texas County Map: Poncirus trifoliata
Invaders of Texas Observations
List All Observations of Poncirus trifoliata reported by Citizen Scientists
Native Alternatives
Initially placed in the Citrus genus, its fruit closely resembles those Citrus species. The thorns and fruit can also resemble the Osage-Orange, Maclura pomifera.
Management
Since Trifoliate Orange is used as the root stock for many Citrus there are no biological controls that can be created as those would also destroy commercial Citrus.
Mechanical: With the plant being covered in thorns, mechanical management can prove to be quite difficult. However, it does respond well to bulldozing when the fruits are not present. If you find new plants, pull them or treat them chemically before fruits can be formed.
Chemical: Responds to chemical treatments with glyphosate, triclopyr or a combination of the two. The herbicides work better after the plant has been freshly cut and the chemicals are directly applied to it.
Text References
Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health Bugwood Network.
Online Resources
Search Online
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NatureServe Explorer: Poncirus trifoliata
USDA Plants: Poncirus trifoliata
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States: Poncirus trifoliata
Bugwood Network Images: Poncirus trifoliata
