Are Apples a Citrus Fruit?

A number of well-known fruits are considered to be citrus fruits. However, the apple isn't one of them. In fact, they aren't just from different genera, they're from different families altogether.

What Is the Apple?

The apple is the fruit of the apple tree, which has the scientific name of Malus domestica. It is the best-known member of its genus by far. However, chances are good that interested individuals are familiar with some of the other members, seeing as how they are often called various kinds of crabapple. Beyond that, Malus falls within Rosaceae, meaning the rose family that includes plums, peaches, and cherries.

What Are Citrus Fruits?

Citrus fruits are produced by the trees and shrubs that fall under Citrus. In turn, the entire genus falls under Rutaceae, which is often called either the rue family or the citrus family. There are other notable species in Citrus. To name an example, the leaves of the curry tree are often used in Indian cooking.

What Are Some Examples of Citrus Fruits?

From a human perspective, the genus Citrus is extremely important because it includes multiple species of enormous economic significance. Oranges would be the single best-known example. However, they also include limes, lemons, grapefruits, pomelos, and mandarins. Citrus fruits have been popular since ancient times, with the result that they are now planted worldwide.