My husband just told me a story from his sordid past (OK, it wasn't that sordid). When he arrived at Arizona State University in the 90's, he was delighted to find that the campus was covered in orange trees! Bright, beautiful oranges, hanging within reach all around! For a college student on a budget, it was a dream come true.

Naturally, he picked one, cut it open, and took a bite...only to be startled by its extreme bitterness. What?! What a rude awakening - a very bitter orange! When he casually inquired of school administrators about the trees, he was told they were "ornamental oranges."  

Where do I start? I love beautiful things: Animals, plant life, color, art, dance, music, creative decor. But, something that looks like you can eat it, but can't be eaten, is just wrong. (I mean, aside from obviously-plastic renditions of sushi in a restaurant window, for example.) The words "wasteful" and "disappointing" come to mind.

To me, the most beautiful thing is something that has perfect form, but is also completely functional. Form + function, a recipe for success. 

Admittedly, planting a tree of any kind is probably a good thing. 

Incidentally, based on various message board posts I skimmed, it seems that ornamental oranges are decidedly un-hardy, and don't even necessarily keep blooming after their first round!