Parent Washington Navel Orange Budwood

Citrus sinensis.

Navel orange trees, in general, and Washington navel orange trees in particular, are not very vigorous trees. They have a round, somewhat drooping canopy and grow to a moderate size at maturity. The flowers lack viable pollen so the Washington navel orange will not pollinate other citrus trees. Because of the lack of functional pollen and viable ovules, the Washington navel orange produces seedless fruits. These large round fruits have a slightly pebbled orange rind that is easily peeled, and the navel, really a small secondary fruit, sometimes protrudes from the apex of the fruit. The Washington navel orange is at its best in the late fall to winter months, but will hold on the tree for several months beyond maturity and stores well.

Fruit large, spherical to obovoid or ellipsoid; base sometimes slightly collared; apex often slightly protruded or broadly nippled; navel medium to large and sometimes protruding navel; seedless.  Especially well-colored (deep orange).  Rind medium-thick, somewhat tender; surface coarsely pitted and moderately pebbled.  Flesh color deep; texture firm; moderately juicy; flavor rich.  Fruit holds on tree and stores and ships relatively well, but processes poorly.  Early in maturity.

Tree round-topped, somewhat drooping, and medium in size and vigor.  Sensitive to heat and aridity during bloom and fruit-setting, and hence restricted in range of climatic adaptation.  Anthers cream-colored, for they are devoid of pollen.

Rootstocks of accession:  Carrizo citrange, C-35 citrange.

Season of ripeness at Riverside, California:  November to January.

Prepared by the Givaudan Citrus Variety Collection at The University of California Riverside.