Nova Mandarin Budwood

Citrus reticulata.

Nova, a sibling of the Lee, Osceola, and Robinson mandarins, is a hybrid of Clementine mandarin and Orlando tangelo. The tree grows vigorously and can be thorny. The medium-sized fruit is usually subglobose and has a slightly pebbled thin reddish-orange rind that is easily peeled. The flesh is dark orange, fine-textured, and juicy with a sweet, rich flavor. In mixed plantings, Nova fruits are moderately seedy, but in isolation the fruits are seedless but less plentiful. Nova matures in early winter and holds well on the tree.

Fruit much like Orlando in size and form, medium-large, oblate to subglobose and without neck; base slightly rounded; apex nearly flat.  Rind thin, leathery, moderately adherent but easily peelable; surface slightly pebbled; color deep yellowish-orange at maturity (deeper than Orlando).  Segments about 11, easily separable; central axis medium in size and open.  Flesh color deep orange; juicy; flavor pleasant.  Seeds numerous in mixed plantings, polyembryonic, and with light green cotyledons.  Colors and matures very early (considerably ahead of Orlando).

Since its parents are strongly self-incompatible and more fruitful if cross-pollinated, it seems likely that Nova will exhibit the same characteristics.

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.