Citrus Japonica — Kumquat
The Kumquat is a native of Cochin-China, and is also cultivated in Japan, Florida, and California. It is a low-growing bush or shrub, having smooth, angular branches, and in both the round and oval varieties the dark foliage is dense and beautiful. It is a very prolific bearer. Its leaves are small, lanceolate, slightly serrate, pointed or blunt and wedge-shaped at the base. The small, white flowers come solitary or in clusters, the fruit varies in size from a large gooseberry to that of a pigeon’s egg, and is either ovate, oblong, or spherical. It is 5 to 6 celled, has very little pulp, and contains many seeds. The pulp is somewhat sour, especially in the round varieties; and the smooth, thick, yellow rind is aromatic and sweet; the Kumquat is generally preserved whole, and those prepared by the Chinese are very delicious.
This ornamental citrus tree is not often seen in our gardens, for it is subject to scale, and to the mealy bug, which destroy the flowers and stunt the fruit. The Kumquat comes true to seed, and may also be propagated by grafting and budding.