Femminello Lemon Budwood

Citrus limon.

The medium-sized fruits are elliptical to oblong with a neck that varies from short to long, and a nipple that varies from short and blunt to long and tapered, depending upon the selection.  The rind is medium thick, finely pitted with sunken oil glands, and yellow at full maturity.  The flesh is pale greenish-yellow, low-seeded to seedless, juicy, and very acidic.   

Femminello lemon-types are the most important lemon group in Italy. They grow vigorously and are of moderate size at maturity.  The trees tend to have few thorns and flower and set fruit throughout the year.  In Italy, Femminello lemon trees are culturally managed so as to produce four crops per year.  The autumn crop is called Primofiore, the winter to spring crop is called Limoni, the spring crop is called Bianchetti, and the summer crop is called Verdelli. There are a number of named selections within the Femminello group and the primary seasons and fruit characteristics vary with the selection.

Rootstocks of accession: Yuma Ponderosa lemon.

Season of ripeness at Riverside, California: Femminello sets fruit throughout the year.

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