Seedless Kishu Mandarin Budwood

Citrus kinokuni mukakukishu.

This citrus species is the kishû mikan of Japan.  The fruit is small, somewhat oblate, depressed at both ends, orange-colored, and glossy.  The thin, comparatively tight rind is easily peelable and fragrantly aromatic.  The flesh is firm, meaty, and pleasantly sweet in flavor.  Seeds are few, polyembryonic, and have pale green cotyledons.  Fruit maturity occurs in early midseason.

The kinokuni is said to be a very old species of Chinese origin and one of the earliest introduced into Japan, where it is still popular because of its pleasant flavor and rich fragrances, At least four varieties are known, the largest of which is Hirakishu.  Mukakukishu is a completely seedless variety.

Rootstocks of accession:  Carrizo citrange.

Season of ripeness at Riverside, California:  December to January.

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