The original mystery plant

Photo by John Nelson Dr. John Nelson

Each week The Columbia Star features an explanation and picture of a mystery plant given by Dr. John Nelson, the curator of the USC Herbarium. To learn more about the Herbarium, call him at 777-8196. His department also offers free plant identification. www.herbarium.org

Again the citrus family, or rutaceae. The name of the family comes from the bitter herb, “rue,” whose genus name is Ruta. Different members of this large family produce highly different fruit forms. Perhaps the best known are the easily recognized “citrus” fruits, which tend to be popular during the winter holidays. They are traditionally used for decoration, and, of course, for juice and eating.

Turkey oak, Quercus laevis According to the botanists citrus fruits are actually berries. The combination of a juicy pulp, many seeds, and an aromatic, leathery skin makes this particular berry type a hesperidium. The interior of a hesperidium is generally divided into a number of seed–bearing cells, or sections, which are usually easy to separate, as in a tangerine, or less easy, as in a grapefruit.

This week’s Mystery Plant is a native of eastern Asia. It becomes a small evergreen tree, which is fairly easily grown in the Southeast as a patio plant. The leaves are attractive, deep green, and shiny. The species pictured, along with its near relatives (there are about five species in its genus), are somewhat more resistant to cold weather than other citrus types.

I’ve had a plant in my backyard here in Columbia growing for several years in a big pot. They don’t seem to need much special care. Depending on the species, these plants will be very thorny (like mine), so if you want to grow one, and you don’t want thorns, you’ll need to investigate the species you are getting.

The fine fruits pictured are from Grice Market here in town. The fruits from this species are oval or oblong, only about an inch and a half in length. These are commonly seen during the holidays in a wreath, or as a table decoration. Most people are reluctant to do anything with these fruits other than look at them, which is too bad, because they really are wonderful to eat, raw. Don’t peel them, as the rind is the best part: sweet and chewy. The pulp is somewhat tart, and you’ll probably want to spit out the seeds. They are said to make great marmalade and chutney, too.

Answer to last week’s mystery plant