Another adaptation that is important to Citrus sinensis is the vascular cambium.  The vascular cambium is a tissue in woody plants that is responsible for secondary growth.  The vascular cambium forms secondary xylem to the inside and secondary phloem to the outside.  This structure is key to the growth and support of the tree.  Additionally, the phloem and xylem the cambium produces are important transport tissues (see Nutrition).  This growth is very similar to another woody tree called the Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana).

The first adaptation and the one most easily recognized by you and I is the fruit that C. sinensis produces. The orange known to most as a fruit and that’s exactly what it is.  A fruit is defined as the mature ovary of a flower and are responsible for protecting the seeds and eventually helping in the dispersal of them.  Citrus sinensis has adapted a fleshy fruit that is brightly colored, sweet tasting, and nutritious to other organisms that may come across it.  This encourages other organisms to eat the fruit and since the seeds or indigestible, they are later released in the feces of that particular organism. Another example of a plant that entices animals to eat its fruit is the Musa acuminata (banana).

The flowers of Citrus sinensis are also an important adaption that is essential to the life cycle and survival of the species.  Citrus sinensis flowers produce a fragrant smell along with nectar that attracts different organisms such as birds or bees.  These organisms are called pollinators because they help the tree pollinate.  Pollination is the transfer of the pollen grains from the anthers to the stigma. An organism that is a well known pollinator of plants is the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus).

Life Cycle/Reproduction >