Historical Citrus Collection

A particularly interesting collection from both a scientific and landscape perspective, initiated at the end of the 18th century and gradually expanded with germplasm sourced from the Sicilian agricultural environment and exchanges with other Italian and foreign scientific institutions.

The collection today consists of 19 species and 68 cultivars, with 250 specimens spread across various parts of the garden, which in spring release the fragrant scent of orange blossoms, showcasing an extraordinary biodiversity also expressed in the size, shape, and color of the fruits. It includes all the "original" species: the Cedrus (C. medica), the Tangerine (C. reticulata), the Pomelo (C. maxima), and the Kumquat (C. japonica), from which all other citrus fruits are derived. 

The Palermo Botanical Garden is particularly credited with the spread of the Tangerine throughout Sicily and the entire Mediterranean region during the early decades of the 19th century.