Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle

The fruiting carpels of Bergamot separate at maturity, forming a long, thin, curved petal shaped like a finger, hence the name. Evergreen shrubs or small trees, up to more than M Tall, with stiff spikes about 6 cm long at base of stems and leaves, new branches triangular-angled. Leaves Alternate, Long Elliptic, with transparent spots. The flowers are mostly produced in leaf axils and often in clusters with a constant number of male flowers, some of which are Hermaphroditic, Corolla 5-merous, white tinged with purple, first flowering from vernal equinox to Qingming, often many male flowers, bearing smaller fruit, another ripening around the beginning of summer, September-october, fruit for medicine, the skin bright yellow, wrinkled and shiny, top divergence, often open as a finger-like, so named fingered, flesh white, no seeds. It is often used as a traditional Chinese medicine or as an ornamental plant because of its unusual fruit shape. Bergamot is produced in large quantities into preserved fruits for consumption and sale.

CITRON is one of the varieties of citron. An irregularly branched shrub or small tree. New shoots, buds and buds are dark purple-red, stems and branches thorny, thorns up to 4 cm long. Leaves Simple, sparse and compound, jointed but wingless; Petiole Short, Leaf Blade Elliptic or ovate-elliptic, 6-12 cm long, 3-6 cm wide, or larger, apically rounded or obtuse, sparsely mucronate, margin shallowly obtuse-lobed. Racemes have up to 12 flowers, sometimes with axillary flowers; flowers bisexual, unisexual, pistil reduced; Petals 5,1.5-2 cm long; stamens 30-50; style thick and long, stigma capitate. The ovary divides as soon as Hanazumi falls off and becomes a finger-like strip of flesh during fruit development. Fruit finger-shaped Flesh, up to 2000 grams, skin light yellow, rough, skin very thick, hard to peel, endodermis white or slightly light yellow, cotton, soft, ladle 10-15 petals, colorless flesh, nearly transparent or pale cream yellow, crisp, sour or slightly sweet taste, have aroma; Seeds Small, smooth, cotyledons milky white, many or monoembryonic. Usually seedless. Flowering 4-5 months, fruiting 10-11 months.

Fingered Citron is a tropical and subtropical plant. It prefers a warm and humid environment with plenty of sunshine. It is not resistant to cold, frost and drought. It is advisable to cultivate in areas with sufficient rainfall and free from freezing in winter. The optimum growth temperature is 22-24 °c, the overwintering temperature is above 5 °c, the annual precipitation is 1000-1200 mm, and the sunshine time is 1200-1800 hours. It is suitable for growing in acid loam, sandy loam or clay loam with deep, loose and rich humus and good drainage.

Root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit can be used as medicine, acrid, bitter, sweet, warm, non-toxic; into the liver, spleen, stomach three channels, rational Qi Phlegm, anti-vomiting and digestion, Shugan Jianpi, and stomach more medicinal functions. For the elderly bronchitis, asthma has a significant role in alleviating the general indigestion, chest and abdomen tightness, there is a more significant effect. Bergamot can be made into a variety of Chinese medicinal materials, long-term service has the role of health and longevity.