The name Changshou (长寿) reflects long-standing cultural association with longevity and good fortune, which likely helped the cultivar persist and spread. Considered by Walter T. Swingle to be a chance hybrid between two of the Fortunella species. The naturally small tree is very ornamental, has a spreading form, and is thornless. The leaves are larger and broader than other kumquat species. The fruit is also larger and slightly different in shape. Changshou is about one and one-half inches long and oval with a depressed apex. The rind is orange and thinner than Nagami or Meiwa. The flesh is orange, acidic, and contains a few seeds. Notes from W.P. Bitters' 1963 trip to Japan: Polyembryonic. Light yellow-orange rind, smooth bell-shaped fruit, aobut 1 to 1&1/2" long, 3/4" wide, stylar end depressed, stem end rounded, flesh orange colored, central core solid, 8-10 seeds, extremely large. Rind is sweet but somewhat acrid from high oil content. This is probably a hybrid.