Oranges and Lemons on the Wine Route

The orange is originally native to China, whose inhabitants have been cultivating it ever since. In Indian documents, however, the orange is first mentioned in 1347. On their overseas expeditions, the Portuguese found extensive cultivation of the orange in these regions and brought it with them to Portugal in 1520. Today, Southern Italy, Sicily, the Southern Iberian Peninsula, Israel, Australia, California, Florida and the Cape Province are the main regions where oranges are planted for cultivation. In Israel, cultivation of the Jaffa-Orange is favored, with its thick skin and lack of pips. The shoot of the small tree or low bush is pale green. Its oval, green leaves on slightly winged stalks feature a pleasant scent, and the round fruits are known all over the world. Today, there is an immense variety of breeds and cross-breeds with other citrus fruits. The larger flowers usually resemble the flowers of lemons and give off an exquisite fragrance. They appear during the different stages of the fruit’s ripening.
Along the German Wine Route and in Deidesheim and Forst, you will come across numerous citrus plants in public areas and private courtyards.
Apart from lemons and oranges you will also see:
Citrus deliciosa (reticulata) – mandarin
Citrus maxima – pomelo
Citrus paradisi (C. maxima x C. sinensis) – grapefruit
Citrus pamelmo – pomelmo with larger fruits

The beautiful appearance and southern scent of the plant, which flowers and produces fruit at the same time, has always had a special appeal to plant lovers who are willing to make considerable efforts to secure the hibernation of the plant in this Central European region. These efforts are also reflected by the large number of beautifully designed orangeries, which have been set up throughout the last centuries.