A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin

Citrus,-i (s.f.II), abl. sg. citro: the citrus, a kind of African cypress, from the aromatic timber of which the Romans manufactured costly articles of furniture (perhaps Thuya orientalis, Linn.)" Cassell's. the citrus, an African tree “whose very fragrant wood (v. citrum) was used in making household furniture and was prized very highly” (Lewis & Short); the citron-tree “(also called Malus Medica, M. Persica, etc.), Citrus Medica, Linn., whose fruit and leaves were laid between the folds of clothing to prserve it from worms; and also used as a counter-poison” (Lewis & Short).

Citrus,-i (s.f.II), abl.sg. Citro, is a genus of the family Rutaceae, the Citron being Citron medica, L. Although masculine in classical Latin, the genus is feminine. The Lemon is Citrus Limon, Burm. f., Grapefruit is Citrus paradisi Macf. This is the genus of oranges and tangerines, etc.; see hesperidium; see aurantium,-ii (s.n.II);

- fructus forma atque magnitudine fructum Citri aurantifoliae simulans, fruit by its shape and size the fruit of Citrus aurantifolia imitating (Stearn).

NOTE: the genus is feminine in gender: Citrus crenatifolia; C. maxima, C. medica, C. reticulata. Citrullus,-i (s.m.II), dim. of Citrus, “from the appearance of the fruit. Watermelon is C. lanatus. Curcurbitaceae (Stearn 1996); but cf. citrium,-ii (s.n.II), abl.sg. citrio: “a kind of gourd” (Lewis & Short).

Citrus, “Latin name for the citron (Citrus medica), the fruit of which was substituted in ancient Jewish ritual for the cone of the cedar (Cedrus libani) which had detested associations with Bacchus (Dionysos), but applied by Linnaeus and earlier authors to the whole genus which includes oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit” (Stearn 1996).

- fructus forma atque magnitudine fructum Citri aurantifoliae simulans, fruit by its shape and size the fruit of Citrus aurantifolia imitating (Stearn).

Citrullus,-i (s.m.II), dim. of Citrus, “from the appearance of the fruit. Watermelon is C. lanatus. Curcurbitaceae (Stearn 1996).

NOTE: the genus is feminine in gender: Citrus crenatifolia; C. maxima, C. medica, C. reticulata.