The Mandarin orange, also known as the mandarin or mandarine (both lower-case), is a small citrus tree (Citrus reticulata) with fruit resembling other oranges.
Mandarin oranges are usually eaten plain or in fruit salads.
Specifically reddish-orange mandarin cultivars can be marketed as tangerines, but this is not a botanical classification.
When exporting began, local Mandarin oranges were named after their port of origin.
The tree is more drought-tolerant than the fruit.
The mandarin is tender, and is damaged easily by cold. It can be grown in tropical and subtropical areas.
Mandarin oranges are a good source of vitamin C.
They also contain potassium, magnesium and vitamins B1, B2 and B3.
The mandarin orange essential oil, like all citrus oils, has limonene as its main ingredient.
It has antiseptic, detoxifying and calming properties.
It is soothing to the nervous system, also has a tonic effect on the digestive system.