Buddha ’s Hand is scientifically classify asCitrus medica var . sarcodactylis , a variety show of the citron tree species within the Rutaceae fellowship , which includes all citrus plants like orange ( Citrus sinensis ) , lemons ( Citrus limon ) , and lime ( Citrus aurantifolia ) . The genusCitrusgroups it with other fruit - bearing tree and shrubs , while “ medica ” ties it to the Citrus medica ’s ancient line of descent , and “ sarcodactylis”—from Greek “ sarkos ” ( flesh ) and “ dactylos ” ( finger)—describes its finger - similar segments . Native to South or East Asia , it ’s one of the oldest cultivated citrus types , decided for its segmented , pith - only fruit rather than the gamey flesh typical of most citrous fruit .
Buddha ’s Hand is a small , evergreen bush or tree , typically 6 - 15 foot ( 1.8 - 4.5 meters ) tall , with barbellate , unorthodox subdivision and glossy , ellipse green leaves that come forth with a purplish tint . Its fruit , mature from late fall to early winter , is bright yellowish when ripe , grow 6 - 12 inches ( 15 - 30 atomic number 96 ) long , with segments splitting into stretch , finger - like protuberance — rank from closed ( prayer - like ) to open ( splayed ) forms . Unlike most citrous fruit , it miss juice , mush , or germ , comprise entirely of a thick , oily rind ( flavedo ) and spongy bloodless pith ( albedo ) . The rind emits a virile , floral - citrous fruit aroma blending lemon yellow , lavender , and reddish blue notes , drive by compound like genus Beta - ionone . The tasting is bitter - sweet and lemony , with a non - vitriolic heart that ’s mildly sweet-smelling , often used as piquance or candied rather than eaten bleak due to its ironical , chewy texture .
Buddha ’s Hand probably originated in northeastern India or southern China , where citron has been develop for over 4,000 twelvemonth , perchance as other as 7 million years ago ground on fossil grounds from China ’s Yunnan Province . Its bed covering is often credit to Buddhist monks who carried it from India to China around the 4th C AD , earning its name from its resemblance to praying hands in Buddhist iconography . By the tenth century , it was significant in China ’s Fujian area , symbolizing felicity , length of service , and good circumstances , often used in tabernacle offerings and New Year gifts . In Japan , known as “ bushukan , ” it became a traditional New Year ’s symbolisation of successfulness . It reached Europe via business deal routes by the eighteenth 100 and California commercially in the 1980s , though it remains a specialty crop outside Asia .
Citrus medica var . sarcodactylisthrives in ardent , temperate to semitropical climates , best suit to USDA zones 10 - 11 , where temperatures seldom drip below 40 ° F ( 4 ° C ) . It ’s icing - sensitive , with damage occurring below 32 ° F ( 0 ° C ) , though fledged trees may digest abbreviated pickpocket to 25 ° F ( -4 ° ampere-second ) with protection . In zona 8b-9 , it can be grown in containers and moved indoors during winter , requiring full sun ( 6 - 8 hour day by day ) and well - drained , acidic soil ( pH 5.0 - 6.5 ) . Native to regions with mild winter and warm summer , it fruits reliably below 600 meters altitude , ask reproducible fondness ( 55 - 85 ° F or 13 - 29 ° C ) and moderate humidness , making it a challenge outside its ideal grasp without careful management .
