Orange

The Orange Tree is fragrant for miles, and is a symbol of generosity and welcome invitation
Citrus × sinensis, also known as the Citrus sinensis (Sweet Orange Group), includes the commonly cultivated sweet oranges, including blood oranges and navel oranges.[1]
Orange tree is a citrus evergreen tree with a productive lifespan of 50-60 years. Some well-cared orange trees can live up to 100 years or more. Orange plant (Citrus x sinensis) belongs to the Rutaceae family. It is a flowering tree and its height in maturity can range between 16 and 50 ft. (between 5 and 15 m). Orange tree is grown mostly for its fruits, but also for its flowers and as an ornamental. Brazil is the world leader in orange production, as for every 4 oranges that are produced worldwide, more than 1 is produced in Brazil. However, the United States, Mexico, India and China are also great orange producers.
Orange trees, as all citrus, are trees with one main timber. Their principal arms normally sprout from the trunk at a height of 23-46 inches (60 to 120 cm) from the ground. Their shank is cylindrical and the crown of most cultivars is typically spherical, although the shape can vary depending on how the trees are pruned. Orange trees -although evergreen- are characterized by a tendency to constantly renew their foliage. During the first few years until the completion of the tree development, the annual amount of newly formed leaves is higher than that of old leaves that tend to fall. Young leaves come in light green colour and receive a deeper green colour gradually. The fruit is a berry in orange coloured skin and orange to red flesh, depending on the variety. Both the surfaces of fruit and leaves is full of oleaginous glands, which give orange its characteristic smell. Orange trees usually bloom in spring. Although they produce a large number of flowers, only a small percentage of these finally develop into ripe fruits. Orange flowers are normally white, with a very pleasant odour.
Uses The orange fruit is an important agricultural product, used for both the juicy fruit pulp and the aromatic peel (rind). Orange blossoms (the flowers) are used in several different ways, as are the leaves and wood of the tree.
Flowers The orange blossom, which is the state flower of Florida,[2] is highly fragrant and traditionally associated with good fortune. It has long been popular in bridal bouquets and head wreaths. Orange blossom essence is an important component in the making of perfume. Orange blossom petals can also be made into a delicately citrus-scented version of rosewater, known as "orange blossom water" or "orange flower water". It is a common ingredient in French and Middle Eastern cuisines, especially in desserts and baked goods. In some Middle Eastern countries, drops of orange flower water are added to disguise the unpleasant taste of hard water drawn from wells or stored in qullahs (traditional Egyptian water pitchers made of porous clay). In the United States, orange flower water is used to make orange blossom scones and marshmallows. In Spain, fallen blossoms are dried and used to make orange tea. Orange blossom honey (or citrus honey) is obtained by putting beehives in the citrus groves while trees bloom. By this method, bees also pollinate seeded citrus varieties. This type of honey has an orangey taste and is highly prized.[citation needed] Leaves Orange leaves can be boiled to make orange tea. Wood Orangewood sticks are used as cuticle pushers in manicures and pedicures, and as spudgers for manipulating slender electronic wires. Orangewood is used in the same way as mesquite, oak, and hickory for seasoning grilled meat.
Orange trees in movable pots, so that they can be placed indoors for the winter

Chemical composition Orange fruit and leaf both are reported to contain indole alkaloids including N,N-DMT.[citation needed


CRIC? CRAC!There was once a girl whose mother died when she was born. Her father waited for some time to remarry, but when he did, he married a woman who was both mean and cruel. She was so mean there were some days she would not give the girl anything at all to eat. The girl was often hungry.One day the girl came from school and saw on the table three round ripe oranges. Hmmmm. They smelled good. The girl looked around her. No one was there. She took one orange, peeled it, and ate it. Hmmm-mmm. It was good. She took a second orange and ate it. She ate the third orange. Oh-oh, she was happy. But soon her stepmother came home."Who has taken the oranges I left on the table?'' she said. "Whoever has done so had better say their prayers now, for they will not be able to say them later.''The girl was so frightened she ran from the house. She ran through the woods until she came to her own mother's grave. All night she cried and prayed to her mother to help her. Finally she fell asleep.In the morning the sun woke her, and as she rose to her feet something dropped from her skirt onto the ground. What was it? It was an orange pit. And the moment it entered the earth a green leaf sprouted from it. The girl watched, amazed. She knelt down and sang: Orange tree, Grow and grow and grow. Orange tree, orange tree. Grow and grow and grow, Orange tree. Stepmother is not real mother,Orange tree.
The orange tree grew. It grew to the size of the girl. The girl sang: Orange tree, Branch and branch and branch. Orange tree, orange tree, Branch and branch and branch, Orange tree. Stepmother is not real mother, Orange tree.

And many twisting, turning, curving branches appeared on the tree. Then the girl sang:Orange tree, Flower and flower and flower. Orange tree, orange tree, Flower and flower and flower, Orange tree. Stepmother is not real mother, Orange tree.

Beautiful white blossoms covered the tree. After a time they began to fade, and small green buds appeared where the flowers had been. The girl sang:

Orange tree, Ripen and ripen and ripen. Orange tree, orange tree, Ripen and ripen and ripen, Orange tree. Stepmother is not real mother. Orange tree.

The oranges ripened, and the whole tree was filled with golden oranges. The girl was so delighted she danced around and around the tree, singing:Orange tree, Grow and grow and grow. Orange tree, orange tree, Grow and grow and grow, Orange tree. Stepmother is not real mother, Orange tree.

But then when she looked, she saw the orange tree had grown up to the sky, far beyond her reach. What was she to do? Oh she was a clever girl. She sang:
Orange tree, Lower and lower and lower. Orange tree, orange tree, Lower and lower and lower, Orange tree. Stepmother is not real mother, Orange tree.

When the orange tree came down to her height, she filled her arms with oranges and returned home.The moment the stepmother saw the gold oranges in the girl's arms, she seized them and began to eat them. Soon she had finished them all, ''Tell me, my sweet,'' she said to the girl, "where have you found such delicious oranges?"The girl hesitated. She did not want to tell. The stepmother seized the girl's wrist and began to twist it.''Tell me!" she ordered.The girl led her stepmother through the woods to the orange tree. You remember the girl was very clever? Well, as soon as the girl came to the tree, she sang:

Orange tree, Grow and grow and grow. Orange tree, orange tree, Grow and grow and grow, Orange tree. Stepmother is not real mother, Orange tree.

And the orange tree grew up to the sky. What was the stepmother to do then? She began to plead and beg."Please" she said. "You shall be my own dear child. You may always have as much as you want to eat. Tell the tree to come down and you shall pick the oranges for me", so the girl quietly sang:

Orange tree, Lower and lower and lower. Orange tree, orange tree, Lower and lower and lower, Orange tree. Stepmother is not real mother, Orange tree.

The tree began to lower. When it came to the height of the stepmother, she leapt on it and began to climb so quickly you might have thought she was the daughter of an ape. And as she climbed from branch to branch, she ate every orange. The girl saw that there would soon be no oranges left. What would happen to her then? The girl sang:

Orange tree, Grow and grow and grow. Orange tree, orange tree, Grow and grow and grow, Orange tree. Stepmother is not real mother, Orange tree.

The orange tree grew and grew and grew and grew. "Help!" cried the stepmother as she rose into the sky. "H-E-E-lp...."The girl cried: Break! Orange tree, Break!The orange tree broke into a thousand pieces and the step mother as well.Then the girl searched among the branches until she found .... a tiny orange pit. She carefully planted it in the earth. Softly she sang:

Orange tree, Grow and grow and grow. Orange tree, orange tree, Grow and grow and grow, Orange tree. Stepmother is not real mother, Orange tree.

The orange tree grew to the height of the girl. She picked some oranges and took them to market to sell. They were so sweet the people bought all her oranges.Every Saturday she is at the marketplace selling her oranges. Last Saturday, I went to see her and asked her if she would give me a free orange. "What?'' she cried. After all I've been through!'' And she gave me such a kick in the pants that that's how I got here today, to tell you the story-"The Magic Orange Tree."
Commentary
When a child is born in the countryside, the umbilical cord may be saved and dried and planted in the earth, with a pit from a fruit tree placed on top of the cord. The tree that grows then belongs to the child, who can barter or sell it. (Young children in Haiti very quickly become economically active.) Trees in Haiti are thus thought to protect children and are sometimes referred to as the guardian angel of the child. However, if the tree should die or grow in a deformed manner, that would be considered an evil omen.