Banpeiyu Pummelo Budwood

Citrus maxima.

Fruit very large (one of the largest), subglobose to spheroid; seedy.  Light yellow.  Rind thick; surface smooth and tightly adherent.  Segments numerous (15-18); axis large and solid; carpellary membranes thin but tough.  Flesh color pale yellow; tender and juicy; flavor excellent, a pleasant blend of sugar and acid.  Medium-late in maturity but stores well for several months longer.

Tree very vigorous, spreading and large; leaves large and broadly winged; twigs, new shoot growth, petioles, and lower surface of leaves pubescent.

Banpeiyu is almost certainly the variety known as Pai You (Yau) on Taiwan.  The variety is of unknown Malayan origin and was introduced into Formosa (Taiwan) in 1920, named in 1925, and taken to Japan soon thereafter.  It develops high quality fruit only in the hottest regions of southern Japan.  Among pummelo varieties, it currently ranks first in Japan and second on Taiwan.

Rootstocks of accession:  Carrizo citrange.

Season of ripeness at Riverside:  October to November.

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