Hardy Bitter Orange, Poncirus Trifoliata, 5 Seeds Showy Fragrant Flowers, Edible Fruit, Bonsai, Hedge, Adaptable QTY: 5 SEEDS Known as the Japanese Bitter Orange, or Trifoliate Orange, this is the hardiest close relative of Citrus. A native of China and Korea, it is a deciduous shrub or small tree which typically grows 8 to 15 feet tall. It is armed with vicious spines and will survive temperatures as low as 20C. Three-lobed leaves emerge yellowish-green in spring, turn glossy dark green in summer and fade to yellow in autumn. Spiny, dark green stems. Fragrant, white, 4-7 petaled flowers to 2 inches in diameter appear singly in spring. Flowers give way to 1 to 2.5 inch diameter fruits (miniature downy hardy oranges) which ripen to an attractive yellow in the fall. Fruits of this citrus relative are edible (lemony flavor), but are very acidic and seedy. Fruits can used to make marmalade (use peel zest and pulp), but are usually left on the tree where they persist well into winter and often provide significant ornamental interest. Leaf: Alternate, compound, 3 leaflets, 1 to 2 inches long, may be finely wavy toothed, thickened, petiole winged, shiny dark green. Flower: White, 5 petals, 1 to 2 inches across and very fragrant, appearing in spring.