Orange

The orange was an Earth citrus plant and the fruit that grew on the plant.

References

• Oranges grew in the warm Mediterranean climate of the Duchy of San Martino in 15th century Italy. Sarah Jane Smith was picking and eating oranges when she was captured by members of the Cult of Demnos. (DW: The Masque of Mandragora)
• Orange juice was a key ingredient in a screwdriver, the other being vodka. (DW: Black Orchid)

• Before taking her to the Palace Theatre, the Fourth Doctor promised Leela, "if you're very good, I'll buy you an orange." (DW: The Talons of Weng-Chiang)

During the time these events occurred, oranges and most other fruit were rare treats, due to their perishable nature and the lack of practical refrigeration and pesticides. They were often purchased as gifts for ladies and children, especially at Christmas.

• Like other citrus fruits, oranges were rich in citric acid, a precursor to vitamin C. They would not have been on the menu for Cessair of Diplos, for whom citric acid was toxic, a fact discovered by Romana and Professor Rumford. (DW: The Stones of Blood)

• One Christmas eve, the Fourth Doctor and Romana snuck into Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart's house dressed as Santa Claus and left two oranges and a walnut in his Christmas stocking. (ST: Special Occasions: 3. Better Watch Out, Better Take Care)

• In an alternate timeline created by Mortimus, oranges grew in and around central London, but were inedible and glowed. They were used by the human survivors as night lights. (NA: Blood Heat)

See also

• Satsuma