The bitter orange

The bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) was known in Al-Andalus as narany. This medium-sized fruit tree is evergreen and has flat, smooth leaves with an intense green colour, and white flowers with a wonderful scent, known in Spanish as azahar (from Hispanic Arabic azzahár, in turn derived from Classical Arabic zahr "flowers")- and bitter-tasting fruit (oranges).
The agricultural experts of al-Andalus gave detailed descriptions of its cultivation and its different uses. Both its oranges and the essence from its blossom are well-known for their muscle relaxant and carminative properties. They are also used as aromatizers and in the composition of Agua del Carmen and orange-flower water. The plant is also used for making marmalade and as rootstock. It is also highly regarded as an ornamental plant, which is often associated with violets (Viola odorata L.) with which it shares the same soil and climate requirements.