New Zealand Grapefruit Budwood

Citrus paradisi.

Fruit medium-large, oblate to broadly obovate to nearly globose; seeds numerous but monoembryonic. Color pale orange-yellow at maturity (deeper than any of the grapefruits).  Rind medium-thick with fairly rugose surface (somewhat more so than Wheeny).  Flesh color yellowish-orange; coarse-textured, juicy; flavor pleasantly subacid with trace of bitterness.  Very early in maturity (as compared to the grapefruits).  Much earlier than Wheeny, but holds on tree exceptionally well without loss in quality.

Tree vigorous, large, and prolific; leaves dark green, with petioles suggestive of mandarin or bitter orange rather than grapefruit.  Most Australian selections and some in New Zealand exhibit a peculiar and distinctive bark condition, which in California appears to be associated with dwarfing.  Surface of trunk and main limbs markedly rough and grayish-black in color; dull-black streaks on smaller branches and twigs.

Although obviously not an orange, the names Poorman Orange or Poorman are employed for this fruit in Australia, where it first came to notice.  Since it most resembles the grapefruit in both appearance and use and is the citrus fruit most extensively grown in New Zealand, the preferable name for this interesting and distinctive fruit would appear to be New Zealand Grapefruit.

A total heat requirement considerably lower than for any of the true grapefruits is indicated by the earlier maturity of Poorman and the fact that it ripens in New Zealand and parts of southern California where there is insufficient heat for any of the present grapefruit varieties.

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

Season of ripeness in the Riverside climate and latitude: November to January.

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