Trifoliate Orange Plant: a Cold Hardy Citrus Called Flying Dragon

Native to China and Korea, Trifoliate orange is said to be the hardiest citrus tree and grows down to USDA Hardiness Zone 6. The flying dragon fruit tree, Trifoliate Orange citrus is a fruit worth knowing and possibly growing, but not without words of warning.

Trifoliate means foliage with three leaves, so the flying dragon fruit tree leaves grow in 3-leaf clusters. The trifoliate orange is a member of the Rutaceae (rue) family of citrus plants. Let’s do a quick review of the names and classification of this unique plant.

Flying Dragon Fruit Names

Common Names for Trifoliate Orange

• Trifoliate Orange
• Flying Dragon (for certain dwarf, contorted forms)
• Japanese Bitter Orange
• Hardy Orange
• Chinese Bitter Orange

Scientific Names for Flying Dragon Fruit Tree

• Poncirus trifoliata – This is the more traditional and widely accepted name for the Trifoliate Orange. The genus Poncirus is closely related to Citrus, and this species was originally classified under its own genus.
• Citrus trifoliata – Some taxonomists and botanists have proposed including Poncirus within the Citrus genus due to their close relationship, leading to this alternative name. However, Poncirus trifoliata remains the more commonly used name.

Taxonomy of Flying Dragon Fruit

• Kingdom: Plantae
  • Division (or Phylum): Magnoliophyta (or Angiosperms)
    • Class: Magnoliopsida (or Dicotyledons)
      • Order: Sapindales
        • Family: Rutaceae
          • Genus:Poncirus or Citrus
            • Species: P. trifoliata or C. trifoliata

Citrus Trifoliata Origin

Introduced to the United States in the 1850’s by US Dept. of Ag. botanist, William Saunders, the flying dragon fruit tree traces back to Central-to-Northern China and Korea.  This hardy citrus tree has since naturalized in Arkansas and Louisiana and has been found in 15 other southern states as well.

Trifoliate Orange Hardiness Zones

The hardiness zone for Trifoliate Orange typically ranges from USDA Zone 5 to Zone 9. This means the plant can tolerate winter temperatures down to -20°F (-29°C) in Zone 5. However, while the plant itself can survive in these colder zones, it’s worth noting that the fruit might not mature properly in the colder end of this range.

Is Flying Dragon Fruit Tree Invasive?

The Trifoliate Orange, including its cultivar “Flying Dragon,” is not typically considered invasive in most regions. However, it’s worth noting a few things:

1. Hardiness and Spread: The Trifoliate Orange is a hardy plant that can tolerate a range of soil conditions and temperatures. It can spread through root suckers and seeds, which means it has the potential to establish itself in areas where it’s planted and possibly beyond.
2. Use as Rootstock: One of the primary uses of the Trifoliate Orange, including the Flying Dragon cultivar, is as a rootstock for grafting other citrus varieties. When used as rootstock, the primary concern is not about it becoming invasive but rather about it imparting certain desirable traits to the grafted citrus, such as cold hardiness.
3. Local Regulations: While the Trifoliate Orange is not widely recognized as invasive, it’s always a good idea to check local regulations and guidelines before planting any species. Some regions might have specific concerns based on local ecosystems and the potential for non-native species to become problematic.
4. Potential to Naturalize: In some areas where conditions are favorable, the Trifoliate Orange might naturalize, meaning it can grow and reproduce on its own without human intervention. However, naturalizing does not necessarily equate to being invasive. An invasive species typically causes harm to the environment, economy, or human health.

Naturalized in the Northeastern US, the Flying Dragon Fruit, trifoliate orange, may be invasive in some areas. We’re growing ours in North Carolina, zone 7a, and haven’t noted any issues with invasiveness. However, when considering any new non-native plant, it’s a good idea to do your research and/or consult local guidelines and experts when considering planting non-native species.

Is Flying Dragon Fruit Edible?

Another name for the flying dragon fruit tree is ‘bitter orange’. So while you can eat the citrus trifoliata flying dragon fruit, you’re not likely to want to, unless you prepare it in recipes.

Tart with lots of seeds, these hardy citrus aren’t good for eating alone, but they do have a number of uses that put this vitamin C rich antioxidant citrus to good use. Best not to heat it over 140° in order to preserve the vitamin content.

Trifoliate Orange Uses and Benefits

Benefits of Trifoliate Orange Seeds

Since these small citrus oranges have LOTS of seeds, it’s great to discover some of the many uses and benefits of these potent gems.

• Used in traditional Chinese medicine to address gastrointestinal discomfort.
• Potential anti-inflammatory effects.
• May contain compounds with antioxidant properties.
• Some research indicates potential antimicrobial properties.
• Ongoing research into other therapeutic benefits, including anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, a