The
grapefruit (
Citrus × paradisi) is a
subtropical citrus tree known for its sour to semi-sweet
fruit. Grapefruit is a
hybrid originating in
Barbados as an accidental cross between two introduced species,
sweet orange (
C. sinesis) and
pomelo or shaddock (
C. maxima), both of which were introduced from Asia in the seventeenth century. When found, it was named the "
forbidden fruit"; and it has also been misidentified with the
pomelo.