Wild Edibles: Flying Dragon Fruit (Trifoliate Orange)

Have you ever wished there was a citrus fruit that you could find outside of Florida? Well, this is for you! Today we're talking about the Flying Dragon Fruit, otherwise known as a trifoliate orange tree (not to be confused with the regular (non-flying) dragon fruit which is a tropical fruit). The trifoliate orange is a hardy citrus that can grow outside up to USDA hardiness zone 6. Check out this video to learn more about this unique plant and fruit.
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If you have one of these plants and want the juice, you should consider a juicer like this one. We have found the lime squeezer on this is the most efficient and effective way to juice them. Because they have so many seeds, other juicers just don't seem to work very well. We are an Amazon affiliate and so earn a small commission on your purchase. Here is a link to the juicer we like: amzn.to/33ig5bS.

[@reqschannel]

Update September 1st: I tried a lemon meringue pie, it didn’t work. Although the taste of lemon-lime was adequate and not bitter with a normal recipe (and around 50 trifoliate oranges for 1 cup of juice), it was ok, sadly though, it cannot be cooked as the poncirus (bitterness causer, which also makes it cool hardy) was more than noticeable and it no longer had the zest taste. We tried making a simple 4-drops-of-juice-sugar candy, it was more than adequate and tasted amazing. The final discovery so far is that we have found they are at full sweetness in early-mid August, while still green but a couple weeks before turning yellow

[@ancestralevolution]

Very interesting! Thanks for the update.

[@reqschannel]

Ancestral Evolution No problem!

[@misslauren1882]

In what area?

[@reqschannel]

I’ve found that they make a fine, fine lemonade once they have fully ripened, although you need a couple dozen for a full batch, and thankfully the plant (10 or so years old) tends to have a massive quantity. This fall I’ll be testing them for a lemon meringue pie, and potentially earlier for limeade, and experimentally a few other things, I’ll update. Definitely edible, and, amazing for flavour. Last tip, get a sharp seax or similar knife and cut a gash about half way down the length of it, that is, the fruit, but he careful or it can easily turn into your hand

[@ancestralevolution]

Thanks! We look forward to hearing how your projects turn out!

[@jennabronson4704]

The flavor and aroma are nearly identical to Japanese yuzu, and go very well in recipes calling for that! Also, substitute trifoliate zest for lemon in a traditional limoncello recipe, and you have something VERY special. =)

[@ancestralevolution]

Thanks for the tips!

[@enerleaf7178]

Eliza!!! Hi lovely dance friend! It's Nerissa in Nashville! Holy moly! So thrilled to see you! I use youtube for when I need quick visual information on nearly anything plus for music, everyday, and here you are!!! I'll catch up with you in an email. THANK YOU for providing such a great channel. I found these fruits in a Brentwood park last week, brought one home, saw all the seeds and just needed to know more before I get too excited. I've been in a sort of prepper mentality since 2017 and still seeking a homesteader partner and land as well. I look forward to a life out of Nashville very soon. My son is 17 now and fingers crossed I'll be enjoying a more quiet rural life in 2022 if the world stays sane enough. My heart is joyful just seeing you smile and sharing these videos. I'll explore your channel more. BIG Hug to you and your loved ones. :)

[@ancestralevolution]

Hi! So good to hear from you! I look forward to catching up :)

[@ncappie]

Thank you 😊

[@ThatToast]

Very interesting, just happened to walk by one in the woods and had no idea what they were, very informative video

[@ancestralevolution]

Thanks! Very cool.

[@rafaelramos441]

The tree shown is not a Flying Dragon, as FD has extremely contorted branches as well as thorns. The greatest use of Poncirus trifoliata is it's use as a rootstock for conventional Citrus. It's hybrids with Citrus are also extensively used as Citrus rootstock. It's genus classification is still unresolved, as to include it in Citrus, or Poncirus. It has many features distinct from Citrus, but hybridizes and grafts easily and freely with Citrus. It's hybrids with Citrus are also largely fertile themselves.

[@ancestralevolution]

Thanks for the info. It is possible that it is a slightly different variety of trifoliate orange. I have heard about people in our area grafting meyer lemon trees on the root stock. I think they still have to use a greenhouse though.

[@rafaelramos441]

@@ancestralevolution 50% of Flying Dragon seeds produce Flying Dragon plants, the remainder are standard Poncirus trifoliata. So, it's possible that the parent to your tree was a Flying Dragon.

[@ancestralevolution]

@@rafaelramos441 Ah, interesting. Thanks!

[@Nordgo61]

Poncirus is classified as Citrus trifoliata. No further discussion.

[@gerrrgerrr9977]

I love that nice video

[@andrewjames9065]

Just learned about this trend a year ago,growing in a friends yard,did some digging found what it was ,took cuttings got a few takers,then got fresh fruit and took seeds ,have most in fridge stratifying,took a handful and put in a pot at same time, put in window seal,all popped up in less than 2 weeks, also found that they're are small groves of these growing around our state here in Tennessee ,at least from what I've read

[@lorettam.wollering1789]

My fiance and I are TRYING very HARD to find a small grove in TN. We are in SE TN near GA. Where in TN did you find them, if you don't mind me asking?

[@andrewjames9065]

@@lorettam.wollering1789 they were growing on a farm my buddy bought in dickson county,the old man he bought it from said it had been there forever and his mom use to make lemonade for them with it,we have tried it different ways,it is very floral tasting,it is easily 20 ft in height and massive thorns, but beautiful in bloom and produces massive amounts of fruits

[@andrewjames9065]

@@lorettam.wollering1789 there is also a guy under the channel planting freedom he has a video on here about then and knows of a small grove near that area maybe he would be willing to lead you in the right direction near you

[@surgickalstrike]

The fruit make a serious statement here in zone 8 when winter causes everything to turn brown and ugly. The flying dragon fruit remains vibrant yellow. The seeds from un-harvested fruit will produce seedlings so yes somewhat invasive but no more than an oak around here.

[@zhaba-kot3]

I try to leave the trifoliate juice in the refrigerator to decant the oil. Overnight it precipitates and the juice +\- you can drink. Our hardy-citrus enthusiasts grow trifoliate up to zone 5

[@abc_cba]

Thank You for the wonderful and elaborate explanation. Can you do a video on other citrus plants like Blood Orange, Navel, etc ? Cheers from India 🇮🇳

[@ancestralevolution]

Unfortunately, it is too cold where we live to grow navels and blood oranges :(

[@Berkeloid0]

Very interesting! On the Weird Fruit Explorer video someone wrote a comment to say the plant has been approved as a security hedge by the CIA as it is very difficult to get through, and I wondered how true that was. I could only find one reference online to a magazine article mentioning they surround the CIA headquarters, and after seeing the size of the spikes in this video, I can see why it would be considered a security hedge!

[@ancestralevolution]

Yes! definitely wouldn't want to be going through one of these!

[@rafaelramos441]

They are quite effective, my dog isn't interested in trying to squeeze through them. Older trees would certainly puncture automobile tires.

[@surgickalstrike]

The thorns will easily & painfully pierce work boot soles especially when pruned and dried on ground. Don’t ask me how I know?

[@andrewjames9065]

People over in Europe used them for keeping in farm animals as well for security around perimeter, that is my thoughts I have trays of these things,should make for a nice privacy hedge between me and neighbors property, make sure you give adequate room of course for growth

[@couplestherapyforsingles6120]

I'm in 6A and mine are evergreens here. I hear people in zone 4 are growing them very successfully as well but have never been to their farms. They are truly amazing trees and super amazing if that is true.

[@chrisjanssens4333]

are you talking USDA zones?

[@josephjude1290]

Great video; how is your dragonfruit citrus tree doing?

[@ancestralevolution]

Thanks! It's doing well!

[@hurtartestudio]

I have one of these in the backyard! Too much juice at once… too concentrated will give you explosive diarrhea. It’s packed with vitamins!!!

[@mariusdinca176]

Id would love some of those seeds, but seems so hard to get your hands on it in Europe since im in a zone 7 this would be the only citrus i could grow

[@pablotabloz]

I have seen some listings on Ebay that ship from different parts of the world. That might be worth a try.

[@severini8153]

We have it in germany as "goldpomeranze"

[@nemanjamilicevic7568]

In zone 7 you could try a Thomasville citrangequat, a citrange or ichang papedo. All are hardy. Citrumelos are hardy also, but inedible. I would like to see the KZbinr actually eat the poncirus. I've heard it has a horrific kerosine-like aftertaste. Poncirus gives all the hybrids those off flavors, making them semi-edible at best.

[@simonflygare771]

There's plenty of online sites that sells hardy citrus in eu countries and the uk exoticfruitplants.eu/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=62 www.vreeken.nl/planten-schimmels/fruit/citrusvruchten citruscentre.co.uk/collections/hardy-citrus palmapalmetto.com/zitrus-verschiedene/?p=2

[@rafaelramos441]

@@nemanjamilicevic7568 Hybridizing Poncirus with Mandarins greatly reduces the prevalence of the resinous bitter flavors. Avoiding the oil droplets in the peel is also helpful.

[@diablominero]

What are your thoughts on ichang papeda hybrids? They're another group of cold-tolerant citrus.

[@ancestralevolution]

To be honest, I don't know much about them. @herman zimmerman Do you have any insight on this?

[@mikeschoolcraft21]

My fruit has the sweetest smell and very sour. I use it in place of lemon.

[@ancestralevolution]

very nice :)

[@raymondkyruana118]

Thanks for the video! Are they any good for zesting?

[@ancestralevolution]

I would probably not recommend zesting. The outside is not like a typical citrus. It is kind of furry and very bitter.

[@raymondkyruana118]

@@ancestralevolution Thanks for letting me know!!!

[@jennhi]

I made marmalade out of it but had to throw away the rinds as they were incredibly bitter. There was enough pectin left over to create a nice, slightly bitter jam. I also made a small amount of cheong syrup and it was quite refreshing in a club soda. Also I zested about 10 of them to turn into essential oil and make soap. I’m reticent to cut up more of these babies as we have a ton, because of that sticky stuff under the zest which ruined my microplane and one of my knives. Any tips on how to get the stuff off?

[@travisgeurin6950]

I know this is very late, but alcohol will remove the sticky resin.

[@dal968]

They are so invasive? I buyed seeds recently and place them to germinate 10 days ago. Still waiting for them. Never seen one in my country Romania. Not common three in Europe

[@WingsOfDomesticViolence]

Would this be a good lime alternative for making homemade salsa?

[@ancestralevolution]

Great idea! We have not tried it, but if you try it let us know how it is!

[@nolamlewis1919]

Can you tell me how old the tree has to been to fruit? I started one from seed a couple of years ago and it is now about 3-4 feet tall. Thank you!

[@ancestralevolution]

I am actually not sure as the tree has been bearing fruit since we moved here. If I had to guess I might say 4ish years? There are probably some people on this thread who know more.

[@Alinrzv]

@@ancestralevolution there is said lemon tree usually makes lemons in the 5th year ...

[@ancestralevolution]

good to know

[@rafaelramos441]

A well grown tree may fruit at 4-5 years of age. Pruning back the top of the tree will seriously delay initial flowering/fruiting..

[@ioan-sebastiansofiean3506]

hy can the zest be used like a regula zest from a lemon?

[@ancestralevolution]

The peel is a little different from a lemon. It is furry and pretty bitter. I would probably not try to zest them.

[@nilesschoolroad]

Flying Dragon is a selection of Poncirus trifoliata. It has curved thorns and it kind of looks like a flying dragon. It is used as a dwarfing rootstock for citrus. The flavor can sometimes be better than standard Poncirus. You do not have Flying Dragon.

[@guacamole2993]

What is different? I googled a photo, and they look identical. Does she have some sort of other Poncirus cultivar?

[@nilesschoolroad]

@@guacamole2993 do a search for flying dragon Poncirus. You will see the difference. She has standard Poncirus.

[@rafaelramos441]

@@guacamole2993 Standard: Poncirus (Citrus) trifoliata vs Flying dragon: Poncirus (Citrus) trifoliata var. monstrosa

[@guacamole2993]

@@rafaelramos441 thanks!

[@mmhanif66]

Hi

[@MThomasB]

I believe this has the potential to make some people sick. I might be confused with another variety.

[@ancestralevolution]

We have been consuming the juice from this variety for many years with no problem.

[@MThomasB]

@@ancestralevolution Yea I completely believe you. I was repeating second hand information. It looks good and I enjoy a tart juice. Thanks for your correction my good fellow! :)

[@brucewillis4604]

Yeah, weird fruit Explorer did a video on them recently. It's like how some people have reactions to gluten or shellfish. If you are fine, you are fine and you can eat them no problem but if you are sensitive to them then they will make you sick. There's enough evidence out there that it's not just a coincidence. They do make some people sick

[@cezarcatalin1406]

bruce willis Are you sure his girlfriend was sick because of the poncirus lemonade ? I have never heard of someone getting sick because of a flying dragon fruit, especially not the lemonade. I guess people can be sensitive to random stuff... some people can’t eat popcorn for example, but I wouldn’t call popcorn dangerous by any means.

[@mariusdinca176]

Do you sell seeds by any chance?

[@ancestralevolution]

I do not sell seeds. I know there are some places in the US that do, but not sure about Europe. There also may be some regulatory/legal issues with importing seeds as this plant is considered invasive.

[@rafaelramos441]

Marius, seeds are available in both eastern and western Europe. You might want to search on Tropical Fruit Forum International. There is an improved selection from Ukraine known as Poncirus+ with reduced resin and bitterness.

[@diablominero]

If you want to be absolutely sure you get a specimen free of disease, you should order a cutting from the Citrus Clonal Protection Program and root it.

[@audreycermak]

I bought 50 2-year old flying dragon trees from Adam Turtle at EARF. Google Earth Advocates Research Farm. I planted them in November 2020 and am looking forward to watching them grow into a hedge.

[@madeinussr1983]

Flying Dragon в видео не увидел. Обычная трифолиата.

[@rafaelramos441]

Вы правы, стандартная прямая ветвь трилистника.

[@BUGt95.]

Super unsafe knife handling

[@KnightRider4404]

I hate these plants. I have hundreds if not thousands of these plants growing on my farm and and to be careful not to run over them or ill get a flat tire. I try to dig them up and burn them when I can.

[@ancestralevolution]

I don't doubt they could cause flat tires. Luckily, we haven't had that happen, but I don't blame you. These plants can be very invasive.

[@KnightRider4404]

@@ancestralevolution feel free to drive over one if you don't believe me. Having a flat tire on the tractor 2 days ago says otherwise lol

[@summerwindfarm3590]

When life deals you lemons make lemonade