Following a long history of cultivation, coupled with the ease by which hybridisation can occur within the genus Cistus, it has become very difficult to devise a workable taxonomy for all the commercially significant taxa, Previous systems have recognised anything from 1 - 167 ‘good’ species in the genus. Work is ongoing to produce a workable monograph of the genus and in the meantime we are following the the treatment proposed by D.J. Mabberley (A classification for edible citrus: an update, with a note on Murraya (Rutaceae), in Telopea 25: 271-284, 2022).
The parentagege of Citrus × floridana is (male) Citrus japonica × (female) Citrus × aurantiifolia

Common Name: Limequat

General Information

Citrofortunella x floridana is an evergreen tree
The plant is cultivated for its edible fruit.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

A hybrid species of garden origin.

Habitat

Not known in the wild.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are not very hardy in Britain but they do tolerate a few degrees of frost[], so it should be possible to grow them in selected areas in the mildest parts of the country[]. They are much more cold-tolerant than their lime parent[].
Requires a position in full sun in a fertile well-drained but not dry soil[]. Prefers a moderately heavy loam with a generous amount of compost and sand added and a very sunny position[, ]. When growing plants in pots, a compost comprising equal quantities of loam and leafmould plus a little charcoal should produce good results[]. Do not use manure since Citrus species dislike it[]. When watering pot plants it is important to neither overwater or underwater since the plant will soon complain by turning yellow and dying. Water only when the compost is almost dry, but do not allow it to become completely dry[].
Plants are susceptible to lime-induced and magnesium-deficiency chlorosis[].
Grown commercially on a small scale in California, there are some named forms, selected for their edible fruit[, ].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Very acid, it can be used in all the ways that lemons are used[]. The fruit is about 3 - 5cm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

The following notes are based on Citrus species. They are probably applicable here as well, even though this is a bi-generic hybrid, since any seed might be produced polyembrionically.

The seed is best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it ripe after thoroughly rinsing it[, ]. Sow stored seed in early spring in a greenhouse[]. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 13°c. Seedlings are liable to damp off so they must be watered with care and kept well ventilated. The seed is usually polyembrionic, two or more seedlings arise from each seed and they are genetically identical to the parent but they do not usually carry any virus that might be present in the parent plant[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least three growing seasons before trying them outdoors. Plant them out in the summer and give them some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame.
Layering in early autumn.