Abstract:

This article studies the Chinese traditional medicinal and edible plant Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis (fingered citron), including its historical evolution from the Song Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, the division of artificially cultivated varieties, and the change of planting bases. Base on the related literature review, we summarized the research progress of fingered citron cultivation technology and its medicinal and economic value. In addition, we pointed out the differences of Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis, Citrus medica var. medica and Citrus medica, from historical evolution, identifying that they were of the same family, same genus and different species. Finally, we raised the question of whether the differences between the cultivars from the main fingered citron producing areas were consistent with the National Pharmacopoeia, suggesting that regional standardization of cultivation technology should be established on variety, origin, soil, climate, etc.

Key words: Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis, Resources, Breeding, Cultivation, Management