Product Description: Citrus medica Seeds — The Sacred Citron of Fragrance and Tradition
Plant more than a seed—plant a legend. Citrus medica, the revered citron, is a living emblem of sacred festivals, ancient trade, aromatic luxury, and culinary tradition. These seeds invite you to grow a folklore-steeped orchard right in your backyard.
Bloom & Fragrance
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Bloom Color: Enchanting white to slightly purplish-tinged blossoms unfurl across the citron's dark glossy foliage—each flower a delicate beacon of spring and fall.
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Fragrance: Intensely aromatic—these flowers scent the air with a sweet, citrusy perfume so strong, in ancient lore they were said to ward off poisons and keep moths away.
Hardiness & Growth
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USDA Hardiness Zones: Ideal for Zones 9–11; tender and frost-sensitive.
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Growth Habit: A small, slow-growing evergreen tree or shrub, reaching 8–15 feet with thorny branches and richly aromatic leaves.
Wildlife & Pollinator Appeal
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Pollinators Welcome: The fragrant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds seeking nectar and pollen—an aromatic magnet in bloom-filled months.
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While not documented as a larval host, its fruit may entice wildlife like birds to forage, embedding the tree subtly in your garden ecosystem.
Cultural Significance & Fascinating Facts
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Ancient Origins: Believed native to Himalayan foothills, citron was among the first citrus species carried west into Persia, Greece, and Rome—its pollen stamped on coins, mosaics, and mosaics as early as the 1st century CE.
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Sacred Symbol: In Jewish tradition, the etrog (citron) is one of the four species used during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), symbolizing purity and divine heart.
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Diverse Varieties: From the fingered Buddha's Hand, prized in East Asia for its symbolism and perfume, to the Diamante and Balady citrons of the Mediterranean, each variety carries regional customs, festive uses, and deep heritage.
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Culinary & Craft Traditions: Because its pulp is dry and scant, the thick citron rind becomes candied succade, flavorful pickles, refreshing drinks, or festive preserves—treasured in Asian and Mediterranean cuisines.
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Ancient Apothecary: Used since classical times for its aromatic oils—said to freshen breath, prevent poisons, and protect clothes from moths.
Why These Seeds Are Pure Garden Alchemy
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Fragrant heritage: Grow flowers so aromatic they were once prized as natural moth repellents and ceremonial elixirs.
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Sacred connection: A tree carrying millennia of cultural and religious symbolism—whether etrog in Jewish rites or Buddha's Hand offerings, every branch echoes tradition.
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Culinary curiosity: From golden candied rinds to exotic pickles and beverages—your harvest becomes both flavor and folklore.
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Pollinator stage: Transform your plot into a scented stage for pollinators, fragrant breezes, and whispered history.
Plant Citrus medica seeds and cultivate more than a citrus tree—grow a living legacy of fragrance, culture, and taste.