It is a very vigorous plant, up to 12 meters tall, with a rounded shape and dense foliage. The leaves are ovate and dark green, with a winged petiole and a flexible spine in the axil. The flowers are large, generally gathered in axillary inflorescences (hence the English name of "grapefruit", fruits gathered in clusters). The pulp is juicy, bitter-sour, usually yellow, or pink-red in some varieties. The seeds are white and polyembryonic. The fruits are intended for fresh consumption or for the juice production industry.