A tree that grows 7.5 to 12 meters tall, with a compact, conical crown; bark that is grayish-brown; thorns usually present, measuring 12 to 50 millimeters long, sharp, and thick; leaves that are oval or ovate-oblong, 7.5 to 10 centimeters long, smooth, shiny, and somewhat lighter on the underside than the top, with edges that are whole or very slightly serrated; petiole 12 to 25 millimeters long, slightly winged (sometimes with a quite broad wing); flowers that grow in clusters of one to six in the axils, white, pleasantly scented, and smaller than those of C. vulgaris; a cupped calyx; four to five awl-shaped, thick, greenish sepals that persist; usually five oblong petals that are 25 to 31 millimeters long, thick, fleshy, and recurved; twenty to twenty-five stamens that are positioned below the petals, with flattened filaments that are joined in groups and shorter than the petals; a pistil that is distinctly divided into a stigma, style, and ovary; a knob-like stigma; a long and slender style; a rounded ovary with 10 to 14 compartments; fruit that is round to flattened, light orange to reddish; smooth rind; juicy, slightly tangy pulp; juice sacs that are spindle-shaped, sometimes larger than those of C. vulgaris; seeds that can be few or many, oblong-oval, flat on one side, generally broad, wedge-shaped or pointed at the micropylar end, marked with slanted ridges around one or two plain areas. Native to China or Cochin China.

While the orange isn’t commonly grown in orchards, it is fairly well distributed. Based on how often citrus fruits appear in markets throughout the Archipelago, it ranks fifth in production, following the mandarin, pomelo, lime, and calamondin, which are the only other citrus fruits besides the orange that have any significant economic importance from a Philippine perspective. Aside from a few recently imported or distributed budded trees from the Bureau of Agriculture, all the trees are seedlings, and almost all the fruit is of low quality.

As far as noted, there are no significant variations to mention. [__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__]

(Seville orange, Bigarade orange.)

A small tree, 20 to 30 feet tall, with a dense, compact top; young shoots are light green and thorny; the thorns alternate, small, sharp, and pointed, while on older wood they are larger, stronger, and stiffer; leaves are single, evergreen, arranged alternately, oval-shaped, pointed, and have a strong, unique scent; the petiole is 0.5 to 0.7 inches long and broadly winged; flowers appear in small clusters in the axils, white, and have a strong sweet scent, somewhat larger than those of C. aurantium; the calyx is cupped with 4 to 5 blunt segments; petals are linear-oblong, noticeably dotted with oil cells; there are 20 to 24 stamens with filaments grouped together; the pistil is club-shaped and smooth; the ovary has 6 to 14 compartments; the fruit is orange or often reddish when fully ripe, slightly rough; the rind is strongly aromatic and bitter; the pulp is acidic; the juice sacs are spindle-shaped and rather small; the seeds are flattened and wedge-shaped toward the micropylar end, marked with ridged lines. Native to southeastern Asia, likely in Cochin China. Hardier than the sweet orange.

Samples of what appears to be the sour orange have been received from Davao, Mindanao.

A small tree 3.6 to 6 meters tall, with a dense crown of upright or drooping branches; bark dark brown or streaked with gray; branchlets light green or dark, small, slender, round or angled, either thornless or featuring small sharp spines; leaves small, lance-shaped to oval, slightly wavy; petioles short, without wings or with very small ones; flowers at the ends of the branchlets or in the axils, sometimes in clusters, 18 to 25 millimeters wide, sweet-smelling; calyx small, shallow, cupped, with small petals; petals white, fleshy, and curled back; stamens 18 to 23, shorter than the petals; pistil small, similar to that of C. aurantium; ovary with 9 to 15 compartments; fruit distinctly flattened, orange to reddish; pulp sweet or slightly tart; juice sacs wide and blunt; seeds shaped like tops, beaked, with cotyledons pistachio green; embryos one or more; sections easily separate from each other and from the peel; peel thin, oil cells somewhat balloon-shaped or oval. Native to Cochin China. Generally considered to be slightly hardier than the sweet orange.

The mandarin is the only species in the genus Citrus that has been systematically planted and cared for, although this mainly involves planting the trees, occasionally clearing weeds with machetes, and harvesting the fruit. Nevertheless, the quality of the fruit is consistently high and very good.

The mandarin district of the Philippines is limited to a small area mainly around Santo Tomás and Tanauan, in the Province of Batangas, and, with the exception of imported fruit, all mandarins sold in the Philippines are grown in this region. Scattered trees can be found in most parts of the Archipelago. Aside from the tizon, which is described later, and [__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__] which is thought to be related to this species, there are no clearly defined varieties of the mandarin.

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A spreading, small tree that can reach a height of 6 meters or more, similar in shape to the pomelo; spines are small or absent; leaves are 10 to 14 centimeters long, 5 to 6 centimeters wide, ovate to elliptical-oblong, with a crenate edge, dark green and shiny on top, crinkly, with a broadly acute base and a narrowly acute to almost pointed apex; petioles are 17 to 20 millimeters long with a narrow wing margin; flowers not observed; fruit is large, measuring 6 to 10 centimeters in diameter, weighing between 170 to 580 grams, somewhat compressed at the bottom half, usually ending in a noticeable nipple, which can sometimes be absent; apex is flat or even slightly depressed; surface is smooth, pale green before turning to orange-yellow; skin is medium-thin; locules number between 10 to 11, separable from each other and the skin like a mandarin; pulp is yellowish, slightly sour, very juicy, and has a good flavor with a distinct "quinine" taste; juice cells are large; seeds are very few, rarely exceeding 7.

The tizon is incredibly rare, and only a few trees are cultivated, mainly in the citrus region of Batangas, Luzon. These trees are reportedly quite productive, and the fruit ripens from September to December. Due to its rarity, this fruit holds no commercial value. However, it would make a good dessert or breakfast fruit, as it’s slightly more acidic than an orange. It is believed to have been introduced from Spain. The tizon is undoubtedly the C. papillaris described by Blanco in “Flora Filipinas.”

The tizon is thought to be a natural hybrid of the mandarin and the pomelo. It has taken on the loose-skinned feature, large juice cells, and partial lack of spines, along with the leaf characteristics of the mandarin, making it definitely more closely related to that species than to any other in the genus, even though the writer hasn’t had the chance to examine the flowers. The tizon is included in the citrus collection at the Lamao experiment station under Bureau of Agriculture No. 744 and 745.

A tree 6 to 12 meters tall, with a rounded or conical top, and a trunk that's over 45 centimeters in diameter; bark smooth and grayish-brown; young leaves and shoots have a sparse fuzz, light green in color; leaves are ovate, either blunt, pointed, or rounded, sometimes notched, smooth, dark, glossy green, and leathery, with a wavy edge; petioles are jointed and broadly winged; flowers grow singly or in clusters of 2 to 20, with a sweet scent; the calyx is large and shaped like a cup; there are 4 to 5 pointed sepals; the corolla is white, 37 to 43 millimeters wide; there are 4 to 5 slightly reflexed, fleshy, oblong petals; stamens range from 20 to 25; [__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__]anthers are large and packed with pollen, with proterandrous characteristics; the pistil is thick; the stigma, when ripe, is covered in a sticky, milky substance; the ovary has 11 to 14 compartments; fruit is large, round or pear-shaped, light lemon or orange in color; flesh is grayish or pink; juice sacs are large and spindle-shaped; flavor mixes acidity, bitterness, and sweetness or is subacid; seeds are large, light-colored, wedge-shaped or irregular, with noticeable ridges around broad, flat areas. It's native to the Polynesian and Malayan Archipelagos.

The pomelo is the most commonly found species in the genus, but similar to the orange, the quality of almost all the fruit is really bad, dry, and tasteless, with a very thick skin. Aside from the panuban, which is described below, there are no significant variations worth mentioning in this genus.

A spiny tree, 3 to 4 meters tall with strong growth; young branches are fuzzy; leaves are 12 to 17 centimeters long, 4.7 to 8 centimeters wide, oval-shaped with wavy edges, and thick; the base is rounded; the petiole is 15 to 23 millimeters long, with narrow wing margins, up to 18 millimeters wide, and wedge-shaped; flowers were not observed; the fruit is 5.7 centimeters long and 7 centimeters wide, with a flattened shape and a shallow cavity at the top; its surface is smooth and lemon yellow; the skin is very thin; the pulp has 11 to 12 compartments, is yellowish, quite juicy, slightly sour, with a good balance of acidity and sweetness, aromatic, and flavorful; the seeds are large and have multiple embryos.

The panuban is said to bloom around New Year, with the fruit ripening from September to November; the trees are reported to be very productive. The panuban has only been observed in Lias, Bontoc, where about six trees are said to grow. It’s possible that the panuban could be an accidental hybrid between the pomelo and the orange or mandarin; if it’s simply a mutation, it definitely stands out among this species. Regardless, the pomelo traits are clearly dominant in both the leaves and the fruit. The fruit is well-flavored but tends to be too dry for discerning tastes. However, it’s likely that if cultivated properly, the juiciness could improve. In that case, the panuban could potentially become a commercially valuable fruit.

B. A. No. 5160 (Lias, Bontoc).

A small, somewhat spiny tree that reaches 4 to 6 meters in height; young growths are greenish. The leaves are elliptic oblong, measuring 4 to 9 centimeters long and about 4 centimeters wide, and have a crenulated edge. The base is acute, and the apex is usually notched. The petiole is barely winged and measures 10 to 15 millimeters long. The flowers are solitary or rarely in pairs, found in the axils, and are 21 millimeters in diameter with a pleasant fragrance. The petals are white and reflexed. There are 18 to 20 unequal stamens, with the filaments grouped together. The ovary is globose and has 6 to 8 compartments, with a slender, distinct style and a knob-like stigma. The fruit is globose, orange to yellow, measuring 2 to 4 centimeters in diameter, with a smooth, thin, brittle skin that separates easily from the flesh. The pulp is orange, juicy, acidic, and has a distinct aroma. The juice cells are relatively large, short, and blunt, while the seeds are comparatively large, smooth, plump, and sometimes beaked; they are polyembryonic. [__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__]

The calamondin is commonly found in the Philippines and grows both wild and cultivated. The plant is an attractive, small ornamental tree, and the fruit can be turned into marmalade or used to make lemonade. There aren't any notably distinct varieties of this species. The trees are usually very productive and almost always bear fruit. In Bohol, this species is called “limoncito.”

B. A. No. 2332 (Tanauan, Batangas).

A bushy tree with small, sharp thorns; leaves about 95 millimeters long and 32 millimeters wide, oval-shaped, scalloped, dark green and shiny on top; base widely pointed; tip slightly notched, petiole 27 millimeters long; wings rarely over 12 millimeters wide; flowers at the top, rarely on the sides, single, 20 millimeters in diameter, sweet-smelling; small calyx; petals white and reflexed; stamens 19 to 21, roughly equal; filaments grouped together; ovary small and oval, with 7 to 11 compartments; style distinct and slender; stigma small and club-shaped; fruit can weigh up to 165 grams, usually oval-shaped, 58 to 66 millimeters long and wide, sometimes roundish and flattened with wrinkles at the base ending in a noticeable nipple; the tip has a shallow dip or a rounded shape with a more or less pronounced circular dip; surface smooth to somewhat smooth; color ranges from greenish-yellow to lemon yellow, with few, depressed lenticels; skin is thin, with a somewhat soft texture; flesh is white to grayish, very juicy and aromatic; juice cells vary in shape from short and blunt to medium slender and tapering at one end; seeds are oval, flattened, smooth, and sometimes pointed.

Plants of the alsem have never been seen by the author in the provinces; the description of the plant was based on budded plants growing at Lamao, which were propagated from materials collected in Bulacan. The trees have a long flowering season, and fruits are available in Manila from summer to late autumn. There is a wide variety in the fruit; some are of little value, while others have very thin skin, are well-flavored, juicy, aromatic, and have less pith than perhaps any citrus fruit the author has examined. The floral characteristics are very similar to those of the mandarin, which the fruit also resembles in some forms with its loose-skinned quality. The flavor and aroma place the alsem close to the cabuyao, C. histrix, and it’s interesting to note that the Tagalogs always refer to it as “cabuyao.” Like the cabuyao, it is often infested with the [__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__] rindborer, Prays citri, while the mandarin is almost immune to this pest.

An analysis conducted by the Bureau of Science in November 1912 of alsem fruits bought by the writer in Manila produced the following results:

Juice analysis.

Pulp analysis.

The alsem was seen as a type of mandarin in Bulletin No. 27, Plate IV, but a deeper look at the plant and fruit reveals it differs significantly from all other Philippine species of the genus, justifying its classification as a distinct species. It has been named in honor of Dr. H. J. Webber, director of the citrus experiment station in Riverside, California. His work in citrus and pineapple breeding greatly inspired the writer to pursue the improvement of tropical economic plants.

The Bontoc local name “alsem” is suggested here as the common name for C. webberii. In earlier publications by the author, it was referred to as the “mandarin lime,” which isn’t really appropriate. While it shares some traits with the mandarin, it is different, and the only similarity to the lime is its tartness and ability to make drinks. Additionally, the name “mandarin lime” is too lengthy for everyday use.

B. A. No. 853 (Bulacan), 2275 (Manila), 4292 (Bontoc).

A bushy tree with thin branches and small, weak spines, which can sometimes be missing; younger growth is green; leaves are 8.5 to 14 centimeters long and 3 to 3.5 centimeters wide, oval to oval-oblong, with a wavy edge, dark green on top, shiny; the base is broadly acute to rounded; the tip is bluntly pointed, usually notched; [__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__]the petiole is 24 to 38 millimeters long, with a narrow wing margin, and in larger leaves it can be up to 17 millimeters wide; flowers haven't been observed; the fruit is roundish and flattened, about 45 millimeters across, somewhat wrinkled, and has 8 compartments.

Budwood and fruits of the cabugao were sent to the Bureau by Mr. A. M. Burton from the Mountain Province. I didn't get the chance to examine the fruit, but a great photograph was taken. As of now, the plants at Lamao haven't bloomed, so there hasn't been an opportunity to look at the floral characteristics. The overall appearance of the plant and fruit suggests that the cabugao is a variety of the alsem.

Through a typographical error in Bulletin No. 27, Plate XVI (a), the cabugao is mistakenly attributed to Bohol.

B. A. No. 2266 (Benguet, Mountain Province).

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A tall, thorny shrub about 5 meters high, with many suckers and interlocking branches. The spines on the stems are often 10 centimeters long. The young growth is bright green and usually angular. The leaves are 6.5 to 10 centimeters long and 3 to 4.8 centimeters wide, ovate to broadly elliptical, and have wavy edges. The base is blunt to broadly acute, and the tip is sharp to rounded, usually with a notch. The petioles are 19 to 25 millimeters long and somewhat narrow-winged, though in larger leaves, the wings can be up to 18 millimeters wide. Flowers have not been observed. The fruit is roundish, slightly flattened at the top, measuring 58 millimeters in diameter, smooth, and deep lemon-colored. The skin is thin, with 11 to 15 locules. The pulp is very juicy, mildly acidic, with a hint of orange-yellow, aromatic, and pleasantly flavored. The juice cells are large, plump, and either blunt or pointed at one end. There are relatively few seeds, of medium size, somewhat plump, more or less reticulate, polyembryonic, and not very good at germinating.

The talamisan is extremely rare and is cultivated in Bohol (one plant has been spotted in Cebu) and is fairly productive. Except for the mandarin, which is also rare, it is far better than all the other citrus fruits grown on these two islands and is consumed by the locals; however, it is still very rare and currently has no economic value. The fruit ripens in January and February and doesn’t store well. If brought into cultivation, the fruit of the talamisan could be effectively used as an ade fruit, and with a bit of sugar, it would make a tasty breakfast fruit. The plant’s dense growth, with many suckers and formidable spines, would make it a good live fence.

The talamisan, also known as the tamisan, is one of the most fascinating citrus fruits that has caught the writer's attention. Its angular growth, sharp spines, broad, sometimes [__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__]almost round, distinct leaves, and fruit make the talamisan easily recognizable among all other species in the genus.

B. A. No. 2529, 4833 (Bohol).

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A tree that grows up to 6 meters tall, with a straight growth pattern and fairly long, thick, sharp spines; leaves are 14 to 18 centimeters long and 6 to 8 centimeters wide, elliptical to oval, with a scalloped to serrated edge; the base is rounded, and the tip is pointed; petioles are 18 to 40 millimeters long, wide at the base, with wings often exceeding 35 millimeters in width; flowers are 4 to 7, in tight clusters, sitting directly on the stem, measuring 18 to 22 millimeters across; the calyx is cupped; there are 4 to 5 petals that are oblong; stamens range from 26 to 30; filaments are usually free; the ovary is small, with 13 to 16 compartments; the style is distinct; the stigma is club-shaped and small; the fruit can be 85 to over 100 millimeters long, weighing between 500 to 800 grams, roughly spherical to slightly oval, with a compressed base that has a nipple and a stem inserted in a shallow cavity; the tip is flat with a circular depression around the raised stigmatic area; the surface is a greenish lemon yellow, somewhat rough, with crosswise ridges; oil cells are small and recessed; the skin is relatively thin; the pulp is grayish, somewhat dry, sharply acidic, and has a lemon flavor; juice cells are relatively slender, long, and pointed; seeds are medium-sized, short, plump, smooth, and sometimes pointed.

The alemow is a very rare fruit found in Cebu, and even the locals consider it inedible. The description of the flowers was based on fresh specimens collected in May. The tree is said to bloom later in the year during the rainy season, producing larger flowers. Partially grown fruit was seen on the tree, and since the writer examined mature fruit from December to late February, it’s clear that the alemow is almost always bearing fruit, if not entirely so.

The main distinguishing features of this species are its large, wide leaves, relatively short but broad petioles, the mostly free but rarely joined filaments, and the noticeably large, uniquely shaped fruit; it seems to be one of the connections between the two branches of the genus, one of which has the filaments more or less joined and the other has the filaments free, with the first group being most closely related to the pomelo.

The alemow was first sent to the writer under the name of colo: Bulletin 27, Plate XIV.

B. A. No. 2510, 2377, 3677, 4820 (Cebu).

(Pls. __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__, __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_1__.)

A thorny tree, with a thick canopy and drooping branches, reaching a height of 6 meters; spines are small but sharp, leaves are 9.5 to 14 centimeters long and 36 to 53 millimeters wide, ovate to roundish ovate, noticeably scalloped, [__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__]dark green and shiny on top, leathery; the base is pointed; the tip is acute to blunt, often notched; petioles are 35 to 70 millimeters long, with wings 25 to 30 millimeters wide on larger leaves, the average wing area is a little less than half of the leaf blade; flowers are 2 to 6, in tight axillary or terminal clusters, sometimes single, 14 to 20 millimeters in diameter, white, with a hint of purple on the outside; the calyx is very small; there are 22 to 28 free stamens; the ovary is round to flattened; there are 15 to 19 compartments; the stigma is nearly sessile; fruit is 45 to 55 millimeters long, 55 to 65 millimeters in diameter at its equator, flattened, with a shallow dip at the top, smooth, featuring slight longitudinal grooves; lenticels are few and small; oil cells are typically raised; the skin is thin; the pulp is quite juicy, sharply acidic, bitter, with a distinct aroma from C. histrix; juice cells are short, plump, granular, small, containing a small, greenish nucleus; there are many seeds.

The limao, while rare, isn't unusual in Bohol, where it's grown and was also collected by the writer in Baganga, Mindanao. The flowers bloom late in April and early May, with the fruit becoming ripe in January and February; a few nearly fully grown fruits were collected in May. No. 2049 has flowers irregularly from May to December. The fruit isn't eaten, but the Boholanos use it for washing and it has no economic significance. The tree is clearly quite drought-resistant and thrives well in very poor soil overlaid with limestone.

The limao is part of the citrus fruit family that has free filaments. Its standout features include a dense crown, dark green, thick, and prominent leaves, a nearly stalkless stigma, and its appealing, flattened, and uniformly shaped fruit with numerous sections, more than any other citrus fruit known to the author. This species is named in honor of Mr. E. F. Southwick, who is mentioned elsewhere in the paper.

B. A. No. 2049 (Baganga, Mindanao), 2504, 4823 (Bohol).

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A thorny tree that can sometimes grow over 6.5 meters tall; spines are medium to large and sharp; leaves are 13.5 to 18 centimeters long and 4 to 6 centimeters wide, ovate to oblong-ovate, leathery, dark green and shiny on top, with a crinkled edge; the base is rounded to broadly acute; the tip is sharp, sometimes notched; petioles are 5.5 to 8 centimeters long, wide at the margins, sometimes up to 4.5 centimeters across, with wing areas equal to or sometimes larger than the leaf area; flowers are 4 to 7, in either axillary or terminal compact clusters, measuring 17 to 28 millimeters in diameter; the calyx is small, not cupped; there are 4 to 5 petals, oblong-ovate, white with a hint of purple on the outside; stamens number between 30 to 36, equal and free, producing plenty of pollen; the ovary is rather large and globose, with 13 to 18 compartments; the style is short and sturdy; the stigma is knob-like; fruit is subglobose to short pear-shaped or turbinate, reaching up to 9 centimeters long and 7 centimeters wide; [__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__]the surface is smooth; the color ranges from greenish yellow to lemon yellow; the rind is medium thick; the pulp is greenish, juicy, sharply acidic, and aromatic; juice sacs are fairly short and blunt, usually containing a more or less distinct center; seeds are typically numerous, flat, and net-like.

This fruit, commonly known as cabuyao by the Tagalogs in central Luzon, is definitely the “copahan” of Bohol. Near Manila, the tree has been seen blooming in September, while in Bohol, flowers were gathered in May. The fruit can be used to make a drink, but it’s not as good as lemon or lime. The local people eat it with fish and also use the fruit for washing. It doesn’t really matter much.

The “amongpong,” found in Bohol and regarded as a separate fruit from the copahan by local people, mainly differs in having only 26 to 30 stamens, along with a large oblate ovary and a short, slender style. The author has not yet examined the first fruit, which is described as smooth, short, and pear-shaped, measuring about 10 centimeters in diameter. Flowers were examined in May.

“Calo-oy” is another fruit found in Bohol that the locals consider different from the “copahan” and “amongpong.” The leaf characteristics of calo-oy hardly differ enough to classify it even as a subspecies; the flowers had just wilted when the visit to Bohol took place. The fruit is said to be round, smooth, and about 8 centimeters in diameter.

“Amontay” (Pl. IVb) is another variety of C. histrix found in Bohol. This plant was also non-flowering during the visit. The fruit, sent to the writer in February by Mr. Southwick, is about 88 millimeters in diameter, irregularly round with a flattened or depressed bottom and a rounded top, smooth, lemon yellow; oil cells mostly raised; skin thick; the pulp, divided into 10 to 12 sections, juicy, and rather pleasantly [__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__]aromatic; juice cells medium-sized, short and plump, containing a tiny, greenish nucleus; cotyledons above ground, distinct.

So far as observed, the amongpong, amontay, and the calo-oy are not different enough from the cabuyao to even qualify as subspecies.

The different types mentioned above are in the Bureau of Agriculture citrus collection at Lamao, listed as follows: Cabuyao, No. 739 (Lamao); copahan, No. 2570, 4835 (Bohol); amongpong, No. 2496, 4831 (Bohol); calo-oy, No. 4822 (Bohol); amontay, No. 2501, 4830 (Bohol).

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A small tree, usually no taller than 4 meters, with a compact crown and small, sharp spines; leaves measuring 9 to 12 centimeters long and 30 to 45 millimeters wide, ovate to elliptical ovate, with a wavy edge, thick and leathery; the base is broadly pointed; the tip is pointed to tapering; petioles are 35 to 45 millimeters long and 25 to 30 millimeters wide, with the wing area being less than half of the leaf area; flowers appear in groups of 2 to 6 in compact axillary clusters; petals are white with a purplish tinge on the outside; there are 20 to 23 equal, free stamens; the ovary is quite large and flattened; it has 11 to 14 chambers; the style is short and distinct; the stigma is knob-like; the fruit is 39 millimeters long and 46 millimeters wide, flattened, smooth, and lemon yellow; oil cells are numerous, uniform, and raised; the skin is of medium thickness; the pulp is quite juicy with a very strong acidity; juice cells are short, plump, and grainy; there are many seeds that are wedge-shaped and monoembryonic; the cotyledons are above ground.

The canci is cultivated in Bohol and is quite rare. Flowers were collected in May, and ripe fruits were checked in January. Filipinos eat the fruit with fish, but it’s so minimally grown that it has no economic significance. The fruit makes a decent drink.

While the canci definitely belongs to C. histrix, an examination of its parts reveals that it is quite distinct from that species as previously described. In the leaves, the relatively short petioles with small, wedge-shaped wings stand out compared to the oblong-spatulate, wide-winged petioles in cabuyao, etc. The stamens in canci are only 20 to 23, while the locules range from 11 to 14, and the fruit is shorter than it is wide, unlike that in C. histrix. Overall, the plant seems to be an intermediate type between C. histrix and C. webberii.

B. A. No. 2525, 4824 (Bohol).

A spiny tree that grows to a height of 6 meters or more; young shoots are green with a hint of purple; leaves are 9 to 13 centimeters long and 3.5 to 5.5 [__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__] centimeters wide, oval to short oval, wavy-edged, dark green, and shiny; the base is rounded, and the tip is slightly notched; the petiole is 4 to 7.5 centimeters long, 2.9 to 5 centimeters wide, oblong, with a broadly pointed to rounded base; the wing area is about the same as or often larger than the leaf area; flowers are 20 millimeters across, in clusters of 2 to 6 in the leaf axils; the pedicel is slender; the calyx is small and not cupped; there are 4 to 5 white petals with a hint of purple on the outside; there are 21 to 26 free, equal stamens; the ovary is roundish, 3 millimeters long, and has 11 to 14 compartments; the style is short, 1 millimeter long, and distinct; the fruit is 48 to 55 millimeters long and about 50 millimeters wide, irregularly round to flattened, usually compressed at the base, ending in a small bump, somewhat wrinkled, greenish lemon yellow; the pulp is greenish, fairly juicy, sour, and not very edible; the juice cells are small and short, containing a small greenish nucleus; the seeds are small, oblong, and net-like.

This plant is the C. torosa of Blanco, which has been considered a synonym of C. histrix, and here it's classified as a subspecies. A comparative study of C. histrix and the variety torosa reveals significant differences between the two. C. histrix is generally larger all around; the wings of C. h. torosa are oblong, maintaining almost the same width over much of the petiole, ending in a rounded to broadly acute base. In contrast, C. histrix, along with all the species described here with free stamens, has wings that are more or less cuneate to elongated cuneate or oblong-spatulate, typically ending in an acuminate or sometimes an acute base. The species that comes closest to C. h. torosa in this aspect is the “balincolong,” linked to C. micrantha. The flower of C. h. torosa is similar to that of C. histrix, except that the former has 21 to 26 stamens compared to 30 to 36 in C. histrix, which also usually has more locules per fruit.

B. A. No. 3665, 3666 (Batangas).

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A tree that grows to a height of 7.5 to 9 meters, with relatively small but sharp spines; leaves are 9 to 12 centimeters long and 27 to 40 millimeters wide, broadly elliptical to oval, with a wavy edge, fairly thin; the base is rounded or broadly sharp; the tip is acutely blunt pointed; petioles are 35 to 60 millimeters long, broadly winged, up to 40 millimeters wide; the wing area sometimes exceeds the leaf area; flowers are small, 12 to 13 millimeters in diameter, white, with a hint of purple on the outside, occurring in clusters of 2 to 5, either in the leaf axils or at the tips of branches; there are 4 petals; the stamens are free and equal in number, ranging from 15 to 17; the ovary is oval-shaped, with 6 to 8 chambers; the style is slender and distinct; fruit measures 5 to 7 centimeters long, 3 to 4 centimeters wide, averaging 26 grams in weight, shaped obovate to oblong-obovate, somewhat flattened towards the base; the apex is blunt pointed; the surface is fairly smooth or has transverse ridges, lemon yellow in color; the skin is relatively thick; the pulp is quite juicy, grayish, and tart; the aroma is similar to that of the samuyao; juice cells can be short and blunt or long, slender, and pointed, sometimes [__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__]containing a tiny, greenish nucleus; there are many seeds that are flat, pointed, and somewhat net-like.

The biasong has been gathered in Cebu, Bohol, Dumaguete, Negros, and the Zamboanga and Misamis provinces in Mindanao, where it is only grown in small amounts. The flowers were documented from samples collected in Bohol in May. Ripe fruit has been collected in May, June, August, November, and February, suggesting that the species produces fruit throughout much of the year. The fruit is used by local residents as a hair wash, is not consumed, and holds no economic value.

Particularly noticeable in the biasong are the small flowers, with fewer stamens than any other species, and the oblong-obovate, few-loculed fruits.

The "balincolong," seen by Filipinos as a distinct fruit, is found in Bohol and Misamis, Mindanao. This tree is sturdier, reaching a height of 12 meters, and features longer wings and thicker leaves, with smoother fruits that are sometimes nearly round. However, these differences hardly warrant classifying it as a subspecies. Since May, the balincolong (1982) has been blooming continuously at Lamao up until the date of this writing (Dec. 18).

Biasong, B. A. No. 2502, 4829 (Bohol), Balincolong, No. 4834 (Bohol), 1981, 1982 (Misamis, Mindanao).

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A shrub-like tree, 4.5 meters tall, with slender branches and small, weak spines; leaves 55 to 80 millimeters long and 20 to 25 millimeters wide, ovate to ovate-oblong or elliptical, scalloped, thin, with a distinct fragrance, base rounded to broadly acute; apex blunt, sometimes notched, petioles 20 to 30 millimeters long, broadly winged, about 14 millimeters wide, wing area a bit less than half of the leaf blade; flowers in compact clusters at the axils or tips, 2 to 7, small, 5 to 9 millimeters in diameter, white with a hint of purple on the outside; calyx small, not cupped, petals 3 to 5; stamens 15 to 18, separate, equal; ovary very small, round to oval; chambers 7 to 9, style distinct; stigma small and knob-like; fruit 15 to 20 millimeters in diameter, roundish; base sometimes has a small bump; apex has an irregular, wrinkled cavity; surface wrinkly, greenish yellow; oil cells usually indented; skin very thin; pulp fairly juicy, sour, bitter with a distinct aroma; juice cells very tiny, blunt, containing a small, greenish center; seeds small, flattened, sometimes pointed.

The samuyao is rarely grown in Cebu and Bohol. Flowers were picked in May, some partially grown fruits were gathered, and ripe fruits were collected in June, as well as from November to February, indicating that the plant is more [__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__]or less always producing. Filipinos use the fruit as a hair wash, and it doesn't have any economic value.

Throughout, the samuyao gives an impression of being small, with its tiny size, weak spines, and thin leaves; the flowers are even smaller than those of the biasong, and the fruit is probably the smallest in the genus.

In Bohol, a somewhat more vigorous variety of samuyao was found, which is called “samuyao-sa-amoo.” The fruits of samuyao-sa-amoo are a bit larger, smoother, and longer than they are wide, but otherwise similar to the samuyao.

Samuyao, B. A. No. 2371, 2509 (Cebu), 2530, 4821 (Bohol); Samuyao-sa-amoo 2533, 4832 (Bohol).

A shrub or small tree, about 10 feet high, with a short, indistinct trunk and short, thick, irregular, straggly, thorny branches; bark light gray; thorns short, sharp, and quite stout; young shoots smooth, violet or purplish, stiff; leaves large, 4 to 6 inches long, oval oblong, serrated or somewhat wavy, dark green on top, lighter underneath; flowers small, growing in clusters of 3 to 10, often gender-neutral; calyx small, cupped; corolla white inside, tinged with purple on the outside; petals oblong, with tips curled inward; stamens short, uneven in length, 40 to 45 in total; pistil small; 2 ovary with 9 to 12 sections or sometimes more; fruit bright lemon yellow, large, 6 to 9 inches long, oblong, with a rough or warty texture, sometimes ridged; top blunt pointed; rind thick, white, except for the outer colored edge; pulp sparse; juice minimal, sour, and somewhat bitter or sweetish; juice sacs small, slender; seeds oval, plump, light-colored, and smooth. Likely native to India, or it may have been brought there from farther east, like China or Cochin China. Very sensitive to cold.

The citron is the rarest of all the traditional cultivated citruses in the Philippines and is rarely found in the markets.

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A small, thorny shrub, usually not more than 2.5 meters tall, with sharp, thick spines; young growth is bright green; leaves are 7.5 to 11 centimeters long and 4.3 to 6.5 centimeters wide, elliptical, fairly thick and leathery, serrated, with a distinct fragrance; the base is rounded; the tip is notched; petioles are very short, 4 to 6 millimeters long, and not winged; flowers are 1 to 4 in axillary, compressed clusters, stalkless, rarely over 38 millimeters wide; the calyx is large and prominently cupped; petals are 4 to 5, fleshy, white, with a hint of purple on the outside; stamens number 36 to 42, unequal, shorter than the stigma; filaments are grouped in sets of 4 to 6; there is a lot of pollen; the gynoecium [__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__] is often aborted; the ovary sits on a bright green disk, is large at 4 millimeters long, and has 13 to 14 locules; the style tapers from the ovary, is only slightly more slender, and rather short; the stigma is large, knob-like, and split; the fruit measures 60 to 65 millimeters long, 7 to 10 centimeters in diameter, weighing between 300 to 475 grams, is oblate with a shallow base cavity, and sometimes has a small bumped tip, is more or less ridged lengthwise, fairly smooth, and bright lemon yellow; lenticels are scattered and depressed; oil cells are large, equal to or slightly raised; the skin is fairly thick; the pulp is grayish, rather dry, sharply acidic, with a lemon flavor; juice cells are long and slender; there are many seeds—sometimes 125 in one fruit—that are short, broad, and flattened.

The tihi-tihi is a rare plant that can be found in cultivation in Cebu and Bohol; one plant has been spotted in Misamis, Mindanao. This plant grows quickly, bearing fruit as early as three years after planting from seed, and produces fruit throughout the year. Filipinos use it to wash their hair. It is not consumed and has no commercial value.

The tihi-tihi is different from the citron because it has green, tender, and highly aromatic growth. The leaves have been found to contain 0.6 percent essential oil, according to analysis by the Bureau of Science. The fruit is noticeably different from the citron.

B.A. No. 19 (Cebu).

A small, thorny shrub that rarely grows more than 2 meters tall, with small, sharp spines; leaves that are 7 to 11 centimeters long and 2.5 to 4.5 centimeters wide, narrowly oblong-ovate to elliptical oblong, serrated, and darker on top than underneath; base rounded; tip often notched; petiole 5 to 7 millimeters long, without wings; flowers 2 to 10, in either axillary or terminal, fairly loose clusters, 3 to 4 centimeters in diameter; calyx large and cupped; petals linear oblong with slightly inward-curving tips, white with a hint of purple on the outside; stamens 36 to 50, of varying lengths; filaments usually grouped together, sometimes separate; gynoecium may be absent; ovary large and oblong, with 10 to 12 compartments; style indistinct, almost the same thickness as the ovary; stigma large, positioned above the anthers, and knob-shaped; fruit measures over 65 millimeters long and 55 millimeters in diameter, ellipsoid to nearly round, pointed at the top, lemon yellow, and smooth; rind of medium thickness; pulp that is grayish to greenish, acidic, and somewhat dry; juice cells long and narrow, nearly linear; many seeds that are fairly small, flattened, and smooth.

The plant is quite common in the Archipelago and has been found in Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Laguna, and Cebu. It's often grown and produces fruit in small pots, likely making it the smallest species in the genus. It's surprisingly productive and fast-growing, bearing fruit as early as the second year from seed, and is almost always in season. Filipinos eat the fruit, but it's too dry to be farmed for the flesh, and the skin is too thin to be used as citron peel.

B. A. No. 27 (Cebu), 2384 (Laguna). [__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__]

A small tree, 3 to 6 meters tall, with a somewhat open crown of short, round or angular, thorny branches; bark is grayish; young shoots are purplish and smooth; leaves are evergreen, alternate, 50 to 75 millimeters long, ovate to oval, pointed, light green, with serrated edges; petioles are completely wingless; flowers are solitary, sometimes in pairs, found in the axils on distinct peduncles; the calyx is persistent, with 4 or 5 segments; the corolla is large, 38 to 50 millimeters across, white on the inside and purplish on the outside; petals are oblong, spreading, and strongly reflexed; there are 20 to 26 stamens, either separate or more or less united in small groups; the ovary is significantly raised on a prominent disk, with 7 to 10 locules; the fruit ripens in all seasons, oval or oblong, pointed at both ends, about 75 millimeters long, and can be smooth or rough, light yellow in color; the rind is thin, the flesh is light-colored; pulp is acidic; juice sacs are long and pointed; seeds are oval, with a pointed micropylar end, and are quite smooth. It is native to the same regions as the citron.

The real lemon is hardly ever grown in the Philippines, and all lemons used are brought in from California, Australia, and Spain.

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A thorny shrub, about 3 meters tall, with intertwining branches and short, sharp spines; leaves are 8 to 11 centimeters long and 40 to 45 millimeters wide, elliptical to oblong-ovate, with wavy to serrated edges; the base is rounded; the tip is blunt, often slightly notched; petioles are 18 to 25 millimeters long, with a narrow wing margin, rarely more than 10 millimeters wide; flowers range from 1 to 5, in short clusters at the tips or sides, measuring 28 to 35 millimeters in diameter, white with a purplish hue outside; the calyx is cup-shaped; stamens number between 30 to 37, almost always free and unequal; the ovary is broadly oval with 14 to 18 chambers; the style is separate; the fruit is roundish to pear-shaped, small, usually narrower at the base; the tip is irregular; the surface is a greenish lemon color, somewhat wrinkled; oil cells are raised; the skin is relatively thick; the pulp is acidic; juice cells are small, short, and plump; seeds are underdeveloped and sterile.

The colo-colo is one of those unique Philippine species with somewhat winged petioles related to lemons and others. Flowers were gathered in May, and ripe fruit was looked at in January and February. The almost always separate stamens in a plant that's part of the same general group as the lemon is notable.

Near the colo-colo is the “lombog,” regarded as a separate fruit, also found in Bohol. This type is less vigorous than the colo-colo and differs in having narrower wing margins, 21 to 28 stamens, and 9 to 11 locules. The fruit is about 4.5 centimeters in diameter and has a shape similar to that of the colo-colo.

The “kunot” is a third type recognized by the Boholanos that may also be called C. pseudolimonum. [__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__]

To C. pseudolimonum, we can also refer to a spiny, tree-like shrub that grows up to 4.5 meters tall, found on Siquijor, a small island south of Negros. The author collected samples of this in August 1912, at which time the tree had partially grown, oblong, rough, small fruits. The plants at Lamao have bloomed in the last two months but have not produced any fruit. The main difference between this variety and the colo-colo and lombog is the number of stamens, which here ranges from 36 to 41.

The fruits of C. pseudolimonum are not economically valuable.

Colo-colo, B. A. No. 2535, 4825; Lombog, No. 2498, 4827 (Bohol), 1953 (Siquijor).

A shrub or tree with a sprawling growth habit, featuring small, stiff, interlocking or drooping thorny branches. The thorns are small, sharp, and numerous; the bark is grayish-brown; young branches are light green, darkening with age. The leaves are elliptical-oval, glossy green, with slightly indented margins; the petioles have margins. The flowers are small, growing in clusters of 3 to 10 in the axils; the calyx is small and has four to five points; the corolla is white on both the inner and outer surfaces; there are 4 to 5 oblong, fleshy petals; the stamens are small, about 20 to 25, grouped together; the ovary has around 10 compartments. The fruit is rounded or oblong, often with a nipple-like projection, light yellow in color; the rind is thin; the pulp is greenish and acidic; the juice sacs are small, slender, and pointed; the seeds are small, oval, and pointed. This plant is native to India and southeastern Asia.

The lime, called “dayap” in Luzon, is the third most important citrus fruit grown in the Philippines. Occasionally, top-quality fruit appears in the market, demonstrating the potential for producing first-class fruit if some effort were made to select and plant grafted trees.

A spiny shrub with slender, willow-like, drooping branches and sharp thorns; the young growth is light green and has a pleasant, distinct odor when bruised. The leaves are 7.5 to 10 centimeters long and 3.5 to 5 centimeters wide, ovate oblong to elliptical, with serrated to wavy edges, and are dull green on the top. The base is rounded to broadly acute, and the tip is often notched. The petiole measures 6 to 19 millimeters long with a narrow wing margin. Flowers are either solitary or in clusters of up to 4, found at the ends of branches or in the leaf axils, measuring 28 to 35 millimeters across. The calyx is fairly large and cupped; there are 4 to 5 petals that are white with a hint of purple on the outside. The stamens are unequal in number, ranging from 28 to 32, and are somewhat fused together. The ovary is large and oblong, containing 12 to 13 compartments; the style is not clearly defined as in C. aurantium, but is somewhat similar to that of C. medica, being slightly slimmer than the ovary. The fruit is 5 centimeters long and 4 to 4.5 centimeters wide, rounded to roundish oblong, lemon yellow, and smooth. The skin is thin, while the flesh is pale green, juicy, and sharply acidic, sometimes bordering on bitter. The juice cells are long, slender, and pointed, with a large number of small, plump seeds that are polyembryonic. [__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__]

This variety appears to be quite widespread, and its seeds have been spread from diverse locations like Mindoro, Palawan, and Benguet. Clearly a type of lime, it is noticeably different from regular limes in its growth pattern, as well as in its fragrant, delicate leaves and larger, purplish flowers, which have more stamens compared to those found in regular limes.

B. A. No. 741 (Palawan), 1749 (Mindoro), 2182 (Benguet).

A tall, thorny shrub with vigorous growth, a somewhat tangled habit, and interlocking branches, featuring sturdy, long, sharp thorns; young growth is purplish; leaves are 9.5 to 16 centimeters long and 4.5 to 7 centimeters wide, elliptical oblong to ovate oblong, with crenate to serrate edges, thick and leathery; base is rounded; apex is retuse; petiole measures 19 to 37 millimeters long, quite broadly winged, and in larger leaves, the wings often exceed 2 centimeters in width; flowers number 3 to 7, appearing in axillary, somewhat loose clusters, around 36 millimeters in diameter; the calyx is medium-sized and cup-shaped; petals have a hint of purple on the outside; there are 34 to 35 unequal stamens; filaments can be occasionally free, but are usually grouped in pairs to groups of 6; the ovary is roundish, with 10 to 14 locules, measuring 4.5 millimeters across; style is distinct and 5 millimeters long; stigma is large; fruit measures 5 to 7.3 centimeters long and 5.5 to 7.5 centimeters in diameter at the equator, weighing between 115 to 225 grams; shape is subglobose; base is rounded; apex is flattened; surface is smooth, ranging from greenish to clear lemon yellow; skin is thin; pulp can be greenish to grayish, very juicy in good varieties, mildly acidic, and featuring excellent flavor; juice cells are long, slender, and pointed.

Plant material of the limon real has been collected in Tarlac, Bontoc, and Bohol, and the fruit is occasionally available for sale in small amounts in Manila.

The name of the plant, “Royal lemon,” shows how highly people value the fruit. Unfortunately, many of the tested fruits have been too dry to be useful, but among the best varieties, their quality and aroma outshine all the lemons and limes that I've had the chance to taste. With its strong, thorny growth, large leaves, and broad-winged petioles, and considering its similarity to both lime and lemon, along with its roundish, flattened fruit that has 34 to 35 stamens compared to the 20 to 26 in those species and 10 to 14 locules, this plant is clearly distinct from both lemon and lime, just as those species are from one another.

B. A. No. 1727 (Bontoc?).

A spiky, tree-like shrub with a messy growth pattern, featuring intertwined, drooping branches and rapid growth. The young shoots are green with a hint of purple; leaves measure 8.5 to 13.5 centimeters long and 3.8 to 5 centimeters wide, shaped oval to oblong oval, with a wavy to serrated edge; the base is rounded and the tip is occasionally retuse; petioles are 16 to 30 millimeters long, typically with narrow wings, and in larger leaves, they can be up to 15 millimeters wide; flowers were not observed; the fruit is 6.4 centimeters long, 8 centimeters in diameter at the equator, and weighs 317 grams, with an oblate shape; the base is rounded, while the tip is flattened and wrinkled, showing a circular depression around the raised stigma area; the surface is relatively smooth and lemon yellow; the skin is thin, and there's a large central cavity; the pulp is divided into about 13 sections, is light-colored, quite juicy, sharply acidic, and has a good flavor; the juice cells are long and slender.

Ripe fruit from this species has been received from Davao, Mindanao, in December and January. The fruit might be too large for retail trade, but it could potentially be used in making lime juice and related products.

Full-grown plants of C. excelsa or the variety mentioned above have not been observed, but C. e. davaoensis seems to be smaller than C. excelsa in every way, except for the fruits. There hasn't been a chance to examine the flowers, but from what has been observed, the plant seems to be more closely related to C. excelsa than any other species described here.

B. A. No. 1009 (Davao, Mindanao).