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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Orange
| image = OrangeBloss_wb.jpg
| image_width = 300px
| image_caption = Orange blossoms and oranges on tree
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| subclassis = [[Rosidae]]
| ordo = [[Sapindales]]
| familia = [[Rutaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Citrus]]''
| species = '''''C. sinensis'''''
| binomial = ''Citrus sinensis''
| binomial_authority = ([[L.]]) [[Osbeck]]
}}
'''Orange'''—specifically, '''sweet orange'''—refers to the [[citrus]] tree ''Citrus sinensis'' ([[Synonymy|syn.]] ''Citrus aurantium'' [[L.]] [[var.]] ''dulcis'' [[L.]], or ''Citrus aurantium'' [[Risso]]) and its [[fruit]]. The orange is a [[hybrid]] of ancient cultivated origin, possibly between [[pomelo]] (''Citrus maxima'') and [[tangerine]] (''Citrus reticulata''). It is a small [[Flowering plant | flowering]] [[tree]] growing to about 10 [[metres|m]] tall with [[evergreen]] [[leaf|leaves]], which are arranged alternately, of ovate shape with crenulate margins and 4-10 [[centimetre|cm]] long. The orange [[fruit]] is a [[hesperidium]], a type of [[berry]].

The [[Orange (word)|word "orange"]] ultimately comes from [[Sanskrit]] ''narang'' or [[Tamil language|Tamil]] "naraththai". Oranges originated in southeast [[Asia]], in either [[India]], [[Vietnam]] or southern [[China]]. The fruit of ''Citrus sinensis'' is called ''sweet orange'' to distinguish it from ''Citrus aurantium'', the [[bitter orange]].
In a number of languages, it is known as a "Chinese apple" (e.g. [[Dutch language|Dutch]] ''Sinaasappel'' (China's apple)).

==Fruit==
All citrus trees are of the single genus ''Citrus'', and remain largely interbreedable; that is, there is only one "superspecies" which includes [[lemon]]s, [[lime (fruit)|lime]]s and oranges. Nevertheless, names have been given to the various members of the citrus family, oranges often being referred to as ''Citrus sinensis'' and ''[[bitter orange|Citrus aurantium]]''. Fruits of all members of the genus ''Citrus'' are considered [[berry|berries]] because they have many [[seed]]s, are fleshy, soft and derive from a single [[ovary (plants)|ovary]]. An orange seed is sometimes referred to as a [[pip]].

==Varieties==

===Persian orange===
The Persian orange, grown widely in southern Europe after its introduction to Italy in the 11th century, was bitter. Sweet oranges were brought to Europe in the 15th century from [[India]] by Portuguese traders, quickly displaced the bitter, and are now the most common variety of orange cultivated. The sweet orange will grow to different sizes and colours according to local conditions, most commonly with ten ''[[carpel]]s'', or segments, inside.

[[Portuguese empire|Portuguese]], [[Spanish empire|Spanish]], [[Arab empire|Arab]], and [[Dutch empire|Dutch]] sailors planted citrus trees along trade routes to prevent [[scurvy]]. On his second voyage in [[1493]], Christopher Columbus brought the seeds of oranges, lemons and citrons to [[Haiti]] and the Caribbean. They were introduced in Florida (along with lemons) in [[1513]] by Spanish explorer [[Juan Ponce de Leon]], and were introduced to [[Hawaii]] in [[1792]].

===Navel orange===
[[Image:Navel_orange_sectioned.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A peeled sectioned navel orange. The underdeveloped twin is located on the bottom right.]]
A single [[mutation]] in [[1820]] in an [[orchard]] of sweet oranges planted at a [[monastery]] in [[Brazil]] yielded the '''navel orange''', also known as the Washington, Riverside or Bahia navel. The mutation causes navel oranges to develop a second orange at the base of the original fruit, opposite the stem. The second orange develops as a [[Conjoined twins|cojoined twin]] in a set of smaller segments embedded within the peel of the larger orange. From the outside, the smaller, undeveloped twin left a formation at the bottom of the fruit, looking similar to the human [[navel]].

Because the mutation left the fruit seedless and therefore sterile, the only means available to cultivate more of this new variety is to graft cuttings onto other varieties of citrus tree. Two such cuttings of the original tree were transplanted<ref>[http://thegoldengecko.blogspot.com/2005_11_01_archive.html Parent Navel Orange Tree in Riverside, CA]</ref> to [[Riverside, California|Riverside]], [[California]] in [[1870]], which eventually led to worldwide popularity.

Today, navel oranges continue to be produced via [[cutting (plant)|cutting]] and [[grafting|grafting]]. This does not allow for the usual [[artificial selection|selective breeding]] methodologies, and so not only do the navel oranges of today have exactly the same genetic makeup as the original tree, they can even be considered to all be the fruit of that single, now centuries-old tree.

On rare occasion, however, further mutations can lead to new varieties.<ref>[http://www.citrusvariety.ucr.edu/citrus/sweet_oranges.html Citrus Variety Collection]</ref>

===Valencia orange===
The [[Valencia orange|Valencia]] or [[Murcia]] orange is one of the sweet oranges used for juice extraction. It is a late-season fruit, and therefore a popular variety when the navel oranges are out of season. For this reason, the orange was chosen to be the official [[mascot]] of the [[1982 FIFA World Cup]], which was held in Spain. The mascot was called "[[Naranjito]]" ("little orange"), and wore the colours of the Spanish soccer team uniform.

===Blood orange===
The [[blood orange]] has streaks of red in the fruit, and the juice is often a dark burgundy colour. The fruit has found a niche as an interesting ingredient variation on traditional Seville marmalade, with its striking red streaks and distinct flavour. The [[mandarin orange]] is similar, but smaller and sweeter, and the '''scarlet navel''' is a variety with the same diploid mutation as the navel orange.

==Production==
{{nutritionalvalue | name=Orange, raw, Florida | kJ=192 | protein=0.70 g | fat=0.21 g | carbs=11.54 g | fiber=2.4 g | | sugars=9.14 g | iron_mg=0.09 | calcium_mg=43 | magnesium_mg=10 | phosphorus_mg=12 | potassium_mg=169 | zinc_mg=0.08 | vitC_mg=45 | pantothenic_mg=0.250 | vitB6_mg=0.051 | folate_ug=17 | thiamin_mg=0.100 | riboflavin_mg=0.040 | niacin_mg=0.400 | right=1 | source_usda=1 }}
According to [[FAOSTAT]], the top producers of oranges (in [[tonnes]]) in [[2005]] were:

{|
|1.||[[Brazil]]||17,804,600
|-
|2.||[[United States|USA]]||8,393,276
|-
|3.||[[Mexico]]||4,112,711
|-
|4.||[[India]]||3,100,000
|-
|5.||[[China]]||2,412,000
|-
|6.||[[Spain]]||2,294,600
|-
|7.||[[Italy]]||2,201,025
|-
|8.||[[Iran]]||1,900,000
|-
|9.||[[Egypt]]||1,789,000
|-
|10.||[[Pakistan]]||1,579,900
|}

==Juice and other products==
[[Image:Oranges and orange juice.jpg|thumb|left|Oranges and [[orange juice]].]]
Oranges are widely grown in warm climates worldwide, and the flavours of orange vary from [[sweet]] to [[sour]]. The fruit is commonly peeled and eaten fresh, or squeezed for its juice. It has a thick bitter [[Peel (fruit)|rind]] that is usually discarded, but can be processed into animal feed by removing [[water]] using [[pressure]] and [[heat]]. It is also used in certain recipes as flavouring or a [[garnish]]. The outer-most layer of the rind is grated or thinly veneered with a tool called a zester, to produce orange [[zest (ingredient)|zest]], popular in cooking because it has a flavour similar to the fleshy inner part of the orange. The white part of the rind, called the [[pericarp]] or albedo and includes the [[pith]], is a source of [[pectin]] and has nearly the same amount of vitamin C as the flesh.

Products made from oranges include:
*[[Orange juice]], one of the commodities traded on the [[New York Board of Trade]]. Brazil is the largest producer of orange juice in the world, followed by the USA.
*Sweet [[orange oil]], a [[by-product]] of the juice industry produced by pressing the peel. It is used as a [[flavouring]] of food and drink and for its [[fragrance]] in [[perfume]] and [[aromatherapy]]. Sweet orange oil consists of about 90% [[Limonene|d-Limonene]], a [[solvent]] used in various household chemicals, such as to condition [[wood]]en [[furniture]], and along with other citrus oils in [[grease]] removal and as a [[hand]]-cleansing agent. It is an efficient cleaning agent which is environmentally friendly, and much less toxic than [[petroleum]] distillates. It also smells more pleasant than other cleaning agents.
*The orange [[blossom]], which is the [[List of U.S. state flowers|state flower]] of Florida, is traditionally associated with good fortune, and was popular in bridal bouquets and head wreaths for [[wedding]]s for some time. The [[petal]]s of orange blossom can also be made into a delicately citrus-scented version of [[rosewater]]. Orange blossom water is a common part of Middle Eastern cuisine. The orange blossom gives its touristic nickname to the ''[[Costa del Azahar]]'' ("Orange-blossom [[costa|coast]]"), the [[Valencia (province)|Valencia]] seaboard.
*In Spain, fallen blossoms are dried and then used to make tea.
*Orange blossom [[honey]], or actually citrus honey, is produced by putting [[beehives]] in the citrus groves during bloom, which also [[pollination|pollinates]] seeded citrus varieties. Orange blossom honey is highly prized, and tastes much like orange.
*[[Marmalade]], a conserve made usually with [[Seville orange]]s. All parts of the orange are used to make marmalade: The pith and pips are separated, and typically placed in a muslin bag where they are boiled in the juice (and sliced peel) to extract their pectin, aiding the setting process.
*Orange peel is used by gardeners as a [[Slug]] repellent.

Since oranges are susceptible to frost damage, growers commonly use sprinklers to coat them with ice when temperatures go below freezing. This practice protects the crops by regulating temperature.

== Etymology ==
{{main|Orange (word)}}

<!-- Please go to the above main article, [[Orange (word)]] if you wish to add further examples from any additional languages. -->

''Orange'' derives from [[Sanskrit]] ''{{unicode|nāraṅgaḥ}}'' "orange tree", but another explanation tries to establish a link to a Dravidian root meaning "fragrant". Compare Tamil ''narandam'' [நரந்தம்] "bitter orange", ''nagarukam'' [நாகருகம்] "sweet orange" and ''nari'' [நாரி] "fragrance". The Sanskrit or Dravidian word was borrowed into European languages through [[Persian language|Persian]] ''nārang'', [[Armenian language|Armenian]] ''nārinj'', [[Arabic language|Arabic]] ''nāranj'', ([[Spanish (language)|Spanish]] ''naranja'' and [[Portuguese (language)|Portuguese]] ''laranja''), [[Late Latin]] ''arangia'', [[Italian (language)|Italian]] ''arancia'' or ''arancio'', and [[Old French]] ''orenge'', in chronological order. The first appearance in English dates from the [[14th century]]. The forms starting with n- are older; this initial n- may have been mistaken as part of the indefinite article, in languages with articles ending with an -n sound (e.g., in French ''une norenge'' may have been taken as ''une orenge''). The name of the colour is derived from the fruit, first appearing in this sense in 1542.

Some languages have different words for the bitter and the sweet orange, such as Modern Greek ''nerantzi'' and ''portokali'' ("Portuguese"), respectively. The reason for these is that the sweet orange was brought from [[China|China]] to Europe during the 14th century by the [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]]. For the same reason, some languages refer to it by "Applesin" which means "Apple from China".

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Cara cara orange.JPG|Picture of a Cara Cara orange (left) with a pink [[grapefruit]] for comparison of size and colour.
Image:Blood_oranges.jpg|While still maintaining an orange peel, the [[blood orange]] has streaks of red in the fruit and a dark burgundy pulp.
Image:Ambersweet oranges.jpg|'Ambersweet' oranges
Image:OrangeGrov.jpg|An orange grove.
Image:Orangeseeds.jpg|Orange seeds
</gallery>

==References==
<references/>
* McPhee, John,''Oranges'' (1966) - focuses on Florida groves.
* Sackman. Douglas Cazaux. ''Orange Empire: California and the Fruits of Eden'' (2005) comprehensive, multidimensional history of citrus industry in California
* Train, John,'' Oranges'' (2006)

{{Commons|Citrus sinensis}}

{{Link FA|am}}

[[Category:Citrus]]
[[Category:Fruit]]
[[Category:Tropical agriculture]]