Until there is a full revision of the genera, the future of the family as here defined must remain unclear. Of great concern in my view is that any attempt to select anything other than Ruta as representative of the family is to invite dubious results in any anatomical, molecular or chemical study. The economic value of the genus Citrus would be hard to over estimate. The California and Florida juice business alone is a multimillion dollar industry. Add to that the fresh fruit sales of oranges, grapefruit, limons, and the like, and still the dollar values are in the multimillions.
Numerous species render oils that result in flavorings.
Several species are used medicinally, and some of the larger tree species are harvested for their timber. As a ornamental, many members of the family are grown in the warmer regions of the world even though a few will cause a mild dermititis in some people.