''Citrus medica'' var. ''sarcodactylis'', or the fingered citron, is a citron variety whose fruit is segmented into finger-like sections, resembling those seen on representations of the Buddha. It is called Buddha's hand in many languages including English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and French. The different cultivars and variations of this citron variety form a gradient from "open-hand" types with outward-splayed segments to "closed-hand" types, in which the fingers are kept together. There are also half-fingered fruits, in which the basal side is united and the apical side fingered. The origin of this kind of citron is commonly traced back to South or

East Asia East Asia is a geocultural region of Asia. It includes China, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan, plus two special administrative regions of China, Hong Kong and Macau. The economies of Economy of China, China, Economy of Ja ...

, probably northeastern

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

, where most domesticated

citrus ''Citrus'' is a genus of flowering trees and shrubs in the family Rutaceae. Plants in the genus produce citrus fruits, including important crops such as oranges, mandarins, lemons, grapefruits, pomelos, and limes. ''Citrus'' is nativ ...

fruits originate.

Description

''Citrus medica'' var. ''sarcodactylis'' is, like any other citron variety, a

shrub A shrub or bush is a small to medium-sized perennial woody plant. Unlike herbaceous plants, shrubs have persistent woody stems above the ground. Shrubs can be either deciduous or evergreen. They are distinguished from trees by their multiple ...

or small tree with long, irregular branches covered in thorns. Its large, oblong leaves are pale green and grow about four to six inches. Its white

flower Flowers, also known as blooms and blossoms, are the reproductive structures of flowering plants ( angiosperms). Typically, they are structured in four circular levels, called whorls, around the end of a stalk. These whorls include: calyx, m ...

s are tinted purplish from the outside and grow in fragrant clusters. The fruit's fingers contain only the white part of the fruit and sometimes a small amount of acidic pulp, but many of them are completely juiceless and some are seedless. The plant is sensitive to frost, as well as intense heat and drought. It grows best in a temperate climate. Trees can be grown from cuttings taken from branches two to four years old. It is very commonly grafted onto sufficient rootstock.

Uses

Perfumery

Buddha's hand fruit is very fragrant and is used predominantly in

and

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

for perfuming rooms and personal items such as clothing.

Religious

The fruit may be given as a religious offering in

Buddhist Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...

temples. According to tradition, Buddha prefers the "fingers" of the fruit to be in a position where they resemble a closed rather than open hand, as closed hands symbolize to Buddha the act of prayer. In China, the Buddha's hand fruit is a symbol of happiness, longevity, and good fortune. It is also a traditional temple offering and a New Year's gift. Whether a Buddha's hand is acceptable for liturgical use as an '' etrog'' on

Sukkot Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths, is a Torah-commanded Jewish holiday celebrated for seven days, beginning on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei. It is one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals on which Israelite ...

was addressed in the 19th century by Rabbi Abdallah Somekh and his disciple, Rabbi Yosef Hayyim, both of

Baghdad Baghdad ( or ; , ) is the capital and List of largest cities of Iraq, largest city of Iraq, located along the Tigris in the central part of the country. With a population exceeding 7 million, it ranks among the List of largest cities in the A ...

. The former was inclined to permit it, whereas the latter maintained that one may not use a variety of etrog in the absence of a positive tradition of its having been used.

Ornamental

The fingered citron is cultivated as an ornamental tree in gardens and containers on patios and terraces. In the United States, its unripe fruits have been sold under the trademark goblin fingers as a decorative

Halloween Halloween, or Hallowe'en (less commonly known as Allhalloween, All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve), is a celebration geography of Halloween, observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christianity, Western Christian f ...

novelty.

Food and medicine

Unlike other citrus fruits, most varieties of the Buddha's hand fruit contain no pulp or juice. Though esteemed chiefly for its "exquisite form and aroma", the Buddha's hand fruit can also be eaten (often as a zest or flavouring) in desserts, savory dishes, and alcoholic beverages (such as vodka or rice liquor) or candied as a sweet. The sliced, dried peel of immature fruits is also prescribed as a tonic in traditional medicine.

Gallery

Cedro à Ditela ò multiforme Volkamer 1708 116b.png, A fingered citron by Volckamer A_species_of_citrus_fruit_(Citrus_sarcodactylis_Hort._Bog.);_Wellcome_V0042687.jpg, Fingered citron by

Wellcome Trust The Wellcome Trust is a charitable foundation focused on health research based in London, United Kingdom. It was established in 1936 with legacies from the pharmaceutical magnate Henry Wellcome (founder of Burroughs Wellcome, one of the predec ...

Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis 01.JPG, Huge fruit breaking bearing twig Menton - Val Rahmeh 05.jpg, Buddha's hand citron in Val Rahmeh botanical garden Citrus medica01.JPG, Semi-fingered and closed Castello,_collezione_degli_agrumi_06.jpg, Closed fingers Buddha's hand fruit.jpg, Side view Buddhas Hand.jpg, A fingered citron Citrus_medica_var._sarcodactylis1SHSU.jpg, Semi-closed fingers Castello, collezione degli agrumi 05.jpg, In Villa di Castello Semi dwarf fingered citron.jpg, Semi dwarf fingered citron (green) Buddhas hand 2.jpg, With open fingers Citron_(8448513463).jpg, Cross section in a Variety etrog citron, and in fingered citron

References

External links

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Pictures
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1922056 Citron Fruits originating in Asia Garden plants of Asia Ornamental trees