Quick facts
| Arabic name | اليوسفي |
|---|---|
| English name | Mandarin (Yousifi) |
| Scientific name | Citrus reticulata |
| Family | Citrus family (Rutaceae) |
| Plant type | Evergreen fruit tree |
| Height | Usually 3 to 5 m |
| Water use | High |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
February to April
Harvest time
November to February
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
A small dense tree with shiny leaves, white scented flowers, and slightly flat orange fruits that peel easily.
Where it grows
Grown with the other citrus of Najran.
Soil
Well-drained sandy loam. Sensitive to salt.
Water and irrigation
Regular watering.
Climate and light
Warm with full sun. Frost harms it.
Propagation
By grafting.
Benefits and uses
- Sweet fresh fruit
- Juice
Drawbacks
- Uses a lot of water
- Some types have many seeds
- Citrus pests attack it
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Citrus reticulata
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Citrus reticulata
- Wikipedia: Mandarin orange
- FAO Crop Calendar - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)