Rubirosa Australian Finger Lime Budwood

Microcitrus australasica.

The tree is rated medium to large in size with a moderate to dense canopy and spreading growth habit. Budunion is smooth and no suckering has been observed. Citrus macrophylla may be used as a rootstock. 

The fruit set is considered high, year round; peak fruit production is October to December and flowering season February to April in the Californian climate. Branches bear many single spines, typical of Microcitrus australasica, averaging 9.67 mm in length. Mature leaves average 18.10 mm × 7.50 mm. The leaf shape is obovate to lanceolate, with a cuneate base. The leaf apex is retuse to obtuse. The leaf margin is unevenly dentate. Flowers and fruit are borne singly in leaf axils on short stout pedicels 1-5 mm long. The fruit shape is straight.

Mature fruit have an external color ranging from medium red to dark red and weigh an average of 26.79 g at maturity. Mature fruit ranges from 6.21 – 9.49 cm in length and 2.10 – 2.66 cm in width at maturity. The number of locules per fruit ranges from 6 to 7. Pulp vesicles are pink, pink-white, and pink-red. Seeds are numerous.

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