John D. Byrd,
Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org
Family: Rutaceae
Synonym(s): Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.
Duration: Perennial
Habit: shrub
Listed by:
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US: 1
Federal Noxious Weed: 0
TDA Noxious Weed: 0
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species: 0
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.
History: Trifoliate Orange is used as the root stock for many Citrus plants due to its hardiness.
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.
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.
US Habitat: woodlands, forest edges, fence rows and urban green spaces.
Distribution
US Nativity: Introduced
Native Origin: China
US States: AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV
Resembles/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.
USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.
Listing Source
Texas Department ofAgriculture Noxious Plant List
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prohibited Exotic Species
Invaders Program
Federal Noxious Weed
Union of Concerned Scientists
United States Forest Service Southern Research Station
Text References
Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health Bugwood Network.
Data Source
Last Updated: 2024-02-09 by ARMO, TISI