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Fingered citron
Buddha's hand fruit, "open hand" appearance when ripe
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Sapindales
Family:	Rutaceae
Genus:	Citrus
Species:	C. medica
Variety:	C. m. var.sarcodactylis
Trinomial name
Citrus medica var.sarcodactylis (Hoola van Nooten) Swingle

Citronvarieties
Acidic-pulp varieties
Balady citron Diamante citron Greek citron
Non-acidic varieties
Corsican citron Moroccan citron
Pulpless varieties
Fingered citron Yemenite citron
Citronhybrids
Bizzarria Florentine citron Kabbad Lumia Pompia Ponderosa lemon Rangpur lime Rhobs el Arsa Rough lemon Volkamer lemon
Related articles
Citrus taxonomy Etrog Succade
v t e

Citrus medica var.sarcodactylis, or thefingered citron, is acitronvariety whose fruit is segmented into finger-like sections, resembling those seen on representations ofthe Buddha. It is calledBuddha's hand in many languages includingEnglish,Chinese,Japanese,Korean,Vietnamese, andFrench.

The different cultivars and variations of this citron variety form a gradient from "open-hand" types with outward-splayed segments to "closed-hand" types, in which the fingers are kept together. There are also half-fingered fruits, in which the basal side is united and the apical side fingered. The origin of this kind of citron is commonly traced back toSouth orEast Asia, probably northeasternIndia orChina, where most domesticatedcitrus fruits originate.^[1]

Citrus medica var.sarcodactylis^[2] is, like any other citron variety, ashrub or small tree with long, irregular branches covered inthorns. Its large, oblong leaves are pale green and grow about four to six inches. Its whiteflowers are tinted purplish from the outside and grow in fragrant clusters. The fruit's fingers contain only the white part of the fruit and sometimes a small amount of acidicpulp, but many of them are completely juiceless and some are seedless.^[3]

The plant is sensitive to frost, as well as intense heat and drought. It grows best in a temperate climate. Trees can be grown from cuttings taken from branches two to four years old. It is very commonlygrafted onto sufficient rootstock.

Buddha's hand fruit is very fragrant and is used predominantly inChina andJapan for perfuming rooms and personal items such as clothing.

The fruit may be given as areligious offering inBuddhist temples. According to tradition, Buddha prefers the "fingers" of the fruit to be in a position where they resemble a closed rather than open hand, as closed hands symbolize to Buddha the act of prayer. In China, the Buddha's hand fruit is a symbol of happiness, longevity, and good fortune. It is also a traditional temple offering and aNew Year's gift.^[4]

Whether a Buddha's hand is acceptable for liturgical use as anetrog onSukkot was addressed in the 19th century by RabbiAbdallah Somekh and his disciple, RabbiYosef Hayyim, both ofBaghdad. The former was inclined to permit it, whereas the latter maintained that one may not use a variety of etrog in the absence of a positive tradition of its having been used.^[5]

The fingered citron is cultivated as anornamental tree in gardens andcontainers onpatios andterraces. In the United States, its unripe fruits have been sold under the trademarkgoblin fingers as a decorativeHalloween novelty.^[6]

Unlike other citrus fruits, most varieties of the Buddha's hand fruit contain no pulp or juice. Though esteemed chiefly for its "exquisite form and aroma", the Buddha's hand fruit can also be eaten (often as azest or flavouring) in desserts, savory dishes, and alcoholic beverages (such as vodka or rice liquor) orcandied as a sweet. The sliced, dried peel of immature fruits is also prescribed as a tonic in traditional medicine.^[3]

• 
  A fingered citron byVolckamer
• 
  Fingered citron byWellcome Trust
• 
  Huge fruit breaking bearing twig
• 
  Buddha's hand citron inVal Rahmeh botanical garden
• 
  Semi-fingered and closed
• 
  Closed fingers
• 
  Side view
• 
  A fingered citron
• 
  Semi-closed fingers
• 
  InVilla di Castello
• 
  Semi dwarf fingered citron (green)
• 
  With open fingers
• 
  Cross section in aVariety etrog citron, and in fingered citron

• Japanese citrus

• Media related toBuddha's hand at Wikimedia Commons
• Pictures

• Citron
• Fruits originating in Asia
• Garden plants of Asia
• Ornamental trees

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