An unusual and interesting shrub is located off Arboretum Drive next to the Shade Tree Collection. Hardy Orange (or Trifoliate Orange) is a member of the Rutaceae plant family and closely related to the Citrus genus. It is a native of China and Korea that has been introduced into the US. In parts of the Southeast, it has escaped cultivation and can be an invasive species in fencerows, roadsides, and forest edges. The compound leaves have three leaflets, and the branches terminate in conspicuous thorns which are most conspicuous during the winter months. Although the green fruit, which turns dull yellow in the fall, has been used for making marmalade, it has been known to cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and skin irritation. Hardy Orange is a cold hardy, disease resistant plant that is used as a root stock for commercial citrus. Historically, it was planted for hedgerows because its vicious thorns make it virtually impenetrable. Its presence can indicate abandoned home sites.

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