Florentine citron


The Florentine citron – citron hybrid of Florence – is a very fragrant citrus fruit, which is named after its most known origin of cultivation. Its scientific name is Citrus ×limonimedica 'Florentina' Lush.

History and uses

It was first carefully described by Johann Christoph Volkamer in his Nürnbergische Hesperides, who gave a detailed account for original citrus types, mutations and hybrids, along with professional illustrations. He has many illustrations from the Florentine citron, as growing for itself, or on the Bizzaria tree. Those illustration are resembling its look of today, with a precise accuracy.
He also writes that it has a very pleasant fragrance, similar to variety etrog.
The most popular Italian variety, namely the Genoese citron, was very well respected and praised by Ashkenazic and Sephardic communities.