Where is the lemon (Yimuguo) native to, and what environmental conditions does it suit?

Lemon is also called Yimuguo, foreign lemon and so on. It is a common fruit on people's dining tables, often used for seasoning and in beverages, and has also been developed into medicines, cosmetics and other products for sale. So, where is the lemon's origin? What suitable environmental conditions does lemon have? What are the effects and functions of lemon? Let's take a look together!

I. Where is the lemon's origin?

Lemon is native to India, Malaysia, the Mediterranean coast and other regions. It was cultivated relatively late in our country, and the cultivated quantity is not large either; it is distributed in the provinces (autonomous regions) south of the Yangtze River. Taiwan, China is a major lemon-producing area in our country. Later it was also cultivated in tropical regions such as Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi, and later developed into the largest cultivation in Sichuan. Anyue County, Ziyang City, Sichuan Province is the hometown of Chinese lemon and the only county in the country for commercial lemon production bases. Other producing areas are mainly in Fujian, Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and other places. Because the economic benefits of cultivating lemon are relatively high, it has now been introduced to some provinces and cities south of the Yellow River.

II. Suitable environmental conditions for lemon

1. Suitable planting temperature

Lemon is a subtropical perennial evergreen fruit tree. The suitable annual average temperature for lemon growth is 17-20 degrees, the average January temperature is 7-10 degrees, the extreme minimum temperature is above -2.5 degrees, the extreme maximum temperature is 38 degrees, the annual rainfall is 1000-1400 mm, the relative air humidity is 60%-80%, and areas with 1000-1500 annual sunshine hours are all suitable for cultivating lemon. Especially in areas with an average temperature of around 18 degrees, the yield and quality are the best.

Lemon is a light-loving plant, but if the sunlight is too strong, its growth and development will be poor. Generally, the plant needs to be moved indoors at noon. The optimal growth temperature for lemon is 23-29 degrees; above 3 degrees it stops growing, and at -2 degrees it suffers frost damage. In summer, lemon generally does not need cooling; it should be brought indoors before Frost's Descent and taken out after Qingming, so it can overwinter safely.

2. Suitable planting soil

Lemon is suitable for planting in slightly acidic soil with deep soil layers, loose and fertile soil, high organic matter content, strong water and fertilizer retention, and a pH value of 5.5-7. Lemon is most suitable for planting in hilly and mountainous areas, choosing wind-sheltered, sunny southeast slopes and the temperature inversion layer of mountain areas. It is taboo to plant it at the bottom of valleys, in low-lying land and in wind gaps; along large rivers, lakes and reservoirs, choose to plant along the banks to make use of the thermal effect of large water bodies, making the small environment relatively warm in winter and cool in summer, which is beneficial to the growth of lemon.

III. Effects and functions of lemon

1. Increasing appetite

Lemon is a relatively appetizing fruit, so lemon can promote fluid production and relieve summer heat, and can also stimulate the appetite and invigorate the spleen. In summer, people often feel loss of appetite and fatigue; drinking a glass of lemon water is very effective for refreshing oneself and stimulating the appetite.

2. Seasoning

Many people know that lemon is often used as a seasoning in Western food. This is because it can remove fishy smells and off-flavors. Now many Chinese dishes also use lemon for seasoning, such as roast duck and roast goose.

3. Lowering blood pressure

Lemon can also be used to lower blood pressure and can play a role in preventing and treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Lemon is rich in vitamin C and vitamin P, which can enhance the elasticity and toughness of blood vessels and can prevent myocardial infarction.

4. Clearing heat and resolving phlegm

Lemon is also a fruit that can resolve phlegm. Eating lemon regularly can play a role in clearing heat and resolving phlegm. Some research surveys have found that the effect of lemon in resolving phlegm and relieving cough is actually stronger than that of citrus. Eating a little lemon can play a role in resolving phlegm and relieving cough.

5. Beauty and skin care

Beauty-loving women who drink a little more lemon in daily life can also achieve a beauty and skin care effect. However, do not drink it during the hot daytime in summer, because lemon is photosensitive, and drinking it during the day may very likely make the skin darker and darker.

The above is the editor's introduction to lemon. I hope it can help you!