Can anyone identify this wild thorny shrub?

[ewpnet]

I am seeking assistance in identifying a shrub.* This shrub grows wild and thrives near rivers in southeast central Texas.

It grows 4-6 feet in height.* It has green branches and base (no bark), smooth 2-3 inch leaves and is green all year.* It grows a medium-sized (2 in.) round orange fruit and has huge 1-2 inch spines / thorns covering it.* The fruit resembles a miniature orange, but has a soft matte finish, rather than a waxy finish.

I have scoured the internet with dozens of descriptive variations and have came up empty-handed.* It's definitely not a species of Asian ornamental orange tree, as they have smaller leaves and thorns (and don't grow wild in Texas.)* I have also found it commonly misidentified as a wild orange tree or Osage Orange which is completely different.

I have 2 images attached.* Please help.

[Newt]

Hi Ewpnet,

Did you ever find out what the thorny shrub is?* I was thinking of some type of hybrid kumquat.* This is a kumquat fortunell margarita hybrid.
http://www.gardeningforyou.com/rts/i...33&siteid=1114


Have you cut one open?* Does it smell of citrus?


Newt

[ewpnet]

Newt,

Thank you for your reply.*

Your response gave me an idea.* I did some research into hybrid and invasive shrubs and have determined that its from the "Trifoliate orange" family.* Specifically, trifoliate orangeand poncirrus (AKA Bitter Lemon).

This family of shrubs is native to China and has been used as a rootstock in the US, thus becoming naturalized and invading southeastern US.

http://www.invasive.org/browse/subject.cfm?sub=11571
http://users.kymp.net/citruspages/tr....html#citrange

Finally, the mystery is solved..

Thanks again!

[Newt]

You are so very welcome!* I'm really glad you found out what they are.*

I don't know why the link I supplied is wrong.* I edited my post to show the correct link.

Oddly enough I did look at the trifoliate orange but it said the fruit was fuzzy and it looked lighter then your photo.* Go figure.
http://www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrolo...eet.cfm?ID=392

I'm really glad I was at least able to give you some ideas.* I hope you will be able to destroy them.

Thanks so much for getting back to me.
Newt