Citrumelo
Citrumelo or Citromelo (X Citroncirus spp.) is also called Swingle citrumelo trifoliate hybrid, because it is a cold hardy citrus hybrid between a 'Duncan' grapefruit and a trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.), developed by Walter Tennyson Swingle.
| Citrumelo | |
|---|---|
| Hybrid parentage | Poncirus trifoliata (Japanese bitter orange) x Citrus × paradisi (grapefruit) |
Citrumelo is widely employed as a citrus rootstock,[1] being resistant to the severe citrus tristeza virus and to the Phytophthora foot rot as well as to blight, cold, and citrus nematode.[2] It produces yellow fruit which taste (if added sugar) and smell like an ordinary grapefruit.[3] The trees are very hardy and can survive temperatures as low as 30s (Fahrenheit).[4]
Taxonomy
Trifoliate orange, according to Swingle, belongs to a citrus related genera, called Poncirus, while grapefruit equivocally belongs to the genus citrus, hence the botanical name X citroncirus is a hybrid genus, derived from citrus and poncirus.
References
- Francisco de Assis Alves Mourão Filho; Eduardo Augusto Girardi; Hilton Thadeu Zarate do Couto (April 2009). "'Swingle' citrumelo propagation by cuttings for citrus nursery tree production or inarching". Scientia Horticulturae. 120 (2): 207–212. doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2008.11.001.
- Citrumelo by Citrus Variety Collection
- "Citrumelo of Nottingham". homecitrusgrowers.co.uk. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
- "Citrumelo Hardy Grapefruit". onegreenworld.com. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
