Buddha’s Hand Citron

Buddha's Hands Citron, Citrus Medica var. sarcodactylis. This fruit is not famous in Indonesia but some area known. In local Indonesian many people called: "Jeruk kuku macan", "Jeruk Jari Buddha". This pictures of “Buddha’s Hand” is planted in a large pot and stays outside at 3th flour at my house. This plant can produce enough fruit planted in the pot, like me.

Native Habitat: The actual location of origin is unknown, just it is believed that Buddha’s Hand originated in Northeastern India and was possibly the first citrus to be brought to Europe by Greek and Roman explorers. The leaves form of tree are found on long and irregular branches covered in very sharp thorns with long 4 to 6-inch. Color of leaf is pale green, form is elliptic, serrated leaves are very aromatic when crushed and often omit a lemony scent. Flower leaves of Buddha’s Hand unfolding from clusters of swollen, purple buds. The heavily scented flowers of Buddha’s Hand are just a small show.

The flower color is white, succulent, four or five-petal flowers are flushed with a soft pink on their underside, and are approximately 1-inch in length and width. The flower have 20 to 30 stamens in the center of the flower which surround the ovary. While the flowers of “Buddha’s Hand” continue for all year , the spring and the fall its heaviest flowering time. Buddha’s Hand is one of citron type that is divided into “fingers” with all rind. The actual fruit develops from the superior ovary and is comprised of free carpels that are united by their congenital styles which emerge as the flower fades. For culinary uses are a bit more limited than other Citrus members, “Buddha’s Hand” remains rich in cultural and medicinal uses. In Western cooking the rind is used as a zest and is often candied. In China and Japan Buddha’s Hand usually used predominately for room and clothing fragrance. Most households place the fruit in a central location to fill the house with the lemon like scent. In the Buddhist religion, Buddha’s Hand usually used as an offering at the temple. According the tradition, Buddha prefers the “fingers” of the fruit to resemble a closed hand, rather than an open hand, which is thought to symbolize the act of prayer.