The Citron (Citrus medicaL.) in China

Noemi Controls Production of Flavonoid Pigments and Fruit Acidity and Illustrates the Domestication Routes of Modern Citrus Varieties

“…sarcodactylis), characterized by fruit segmented into finger-like sections ( Figure S1D). While usually considered as a single variety under the name of ''Buddha's Hand,'' many distinct varieties are known in Asia [5,25]. Fingered Citrons have no juicy pulp or seeds and represent ''genotypes frozen in time.''…”

“…Both the common Buddha's Hand and a Japanese fingered accession were heterozygous (N C ; n DEL3 0 ) at the Noemi locus. More interestingly, two related Chinese fingered Citron varieties, ''Qingpi'' and ''Aihua,'' used in traditional medicine, characterized by white flowers and green leaves [5], were homozygous for the n DEL3 0 allele ( Figure S1C; Table S1). This confirmed that Noemi is essential for anthocyanin production and that the n DEL3 0 allele originated before the arrival of Citron in the Mediterranean, suggesting that it may have been inherited by some of the many hybrids derived from Citron [13].…”

“…The characterization of the Noemi locus in a number of varieties of Citron indicates that one specific mutation is ancient. The presence of this allele in Chinese fingered Citrons and in those used in the Sukkot Jewish ritual [5] illuminates the path of domestication of Citron, the first citrus species to be cultivated in the Mediterranean. This allele has been inherited in Citron-derived hybrids with long histories of cultivation.…”

Fingered Citron—A Fragrant Ornamental Fruit Crop for Florida

“…The fruit of fingered citron is split into numerous sections that resemble fingers (Lim 2012). Although considered a single variety in the United States, in China, fingered citron has been classified into many varieties and subvarieties, such as 'Chuan' , 'Guang' , and 'Yun' , according to fruit shape and growth habit (Karp and Hu 2018). Citron is native to northeastern India and was carried into China by Buddhist monks around the 4th century CE (Karp and Hu 2018).…”

“…Although considered a single variety in the United States, in China, fingered citron has been classified into many varieties and subvarieties, such as 'Chuan' , 'Guang' , and 'Yun' , according to fruit shape and growth habit (Karp and Hu 2018). Citron is native to northeastern India and was carried into China by Buddhist monks around the 4th century CE (Karp and Hu 2018). Fingered citron has been cultivated for at least 1,000 years in southern China and Japan (Karp and Hu 2018).…”