The Oranges of Seville

Seville seems to have surprises in every street and around every corner. A new plaza to discover, another beautiful church to explore, or a unique shop selling its specialty items. Each day you find something new.

One thing from this vibrant city that I have come to really enjoy are the orange trees. For me, they are a colorful decoration lining the streets of Seville. Actually over 14,000 trees are on the city streets. They outnumber all the other types of trees in Seville. These trees infuse the city with their sweet scent in the spring, and provide bright color during the winter.

You might be thinking, "Awesome! Orange trees all over the city! What a great, easy snack!" That's what I thought too when I first arrived here too, but in reality the oranges are extremely bitter. I'd recommend not eating them. So then what's the point? The oranges and the trees have a variety of purposes.

1) The orange trees have ornamental value. They add color, plus a little bit of nature to the city.

2) The trees provide shade in the summer when it is unbearably hot. The mercury can reach 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit).

3) The oranges, when ripe, are used to make marmalade. When the time is right, the city collects the oranges and off they go to become a sweet spread for your morning toast.

In January, and now the beginning of February, the orange trees are loaded with fruit.

I've also seen a variety of other flowers during the winter months. I don't know all of their names, but it is always nice to see their sunny faces during the "cold" winter of southern Spain. :)

Lantana: usually a summer plant in PA