Botany
Rutaceae
Described in 1415, but already known in Roman times, citron is a small tree belonging to the Rutaceae family, evergreen with elliptical leaves and characteristic solitary, white and fragrant flowers, also known as “Zagare”. The fruits, very well known, are pyriform yellow.
History
Citron is a fruit originally coming from the East, but its plant was already cultivated in Roman times. In Italy, citron has been known from very ancient times. It was already classified by Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia, with the name of “Assyrian Apple.” In those days, the fruit was not considered edible; in fact, it became quite common eating it only two centuries later. Instead, like lemongrass, it was used as a repellent for harmful insects such as mosquitoes. It is probably the first citrus fruit, together with , that arrived in Europe.
The Tree at Castelgandolfo
In the third section, the lowest one, of the majestic Italian Garden, precise geometrical figures can be found, with as many as 20 flowerbeds, not surrounded by hedges but shaped inside, always with boxwood, with motifs of lilies, frets and double frets, and bordered upstream first by pairs of citrus pots and then by rose beds with citrus saplings.
General symbolism
Since citrus fruits were often used against poisoning and snake bites, they have been associated with the Virgin Mary crushing the head of the snake, as the bearer of new life. Hildegard de Bingen compares cedar to chastity. Many authors identify cedars as trees of Good and Evil; therefore, they represent the trees of man’s expulsion from Eden.
According to another medieval legend, however, since the wood of citrus plants was believed to be incorruptible, lemon and cedar became symbols of eternity. Cedar plants grow only with direct sunlight. For this reason, they were symbolically associated with salvation, mercy and piety. In Pliny, citron was associated with fidelity in human love.
Medicinal importance
Everyone is now aware of citron’s high and beneficial content in vitamin C.
Fresh citron contains very few calories (11 Kcal per 100 grams). It also contains fiber, mineral salts such as calcium and sodium, vitamins (especially C and B1), and a considerable amount of flavonoids, in particular hesperidin, and essential oil.
Essential oil is extracted from the oil glands located in the colored part of the peel, the flavedo. Citron production is almost entirely destined for food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and herbal industries due to its medicinal properties.
The sterols contained in the albedo (white part of the skin) help to counteract excess cholesterol. Eaten fresh, the fruit has antioxidant, digestive and carminative properties. Due to its low calorie content and low glycemic index, it is recommended during slimming diets. It also boosts body cleansing by stimulating diuresis, especially if consumed as a juice or smoothie.
In cosmetics, cedar is used as a perfume and for its purifying properties on the skin and scalp, for the production of shower gel, shampoos, soaps, etc.
The Tree in the Pope mission
Cedar, with its symbolism, opposes “poisons”Pope Francis exhorts us to detach ourselves from the false promises of happiness, “While the world sets before us” in fact “the various banquets of consumerism, selfish comfort, the accumulation of wealth and individualism, the Gospel calls everyone to the divine banquet, marked by joy, sharing, justice and fraternity, in communion with God and with others” (Holy Father’s Message for Mission Sunday. 02/02/2024).
Its symbolism, historically always connected to Mary, highlights purity and chastity and, in general, moderation and the “sober” use of natural and personal riches.