It was the Tibbet planting, however, that resulted in the name Washington being attached to this variety and brought it into prominence. Tibbets of Riverside, Alexander Craw of San Diego, and Edwin Kimball of Hayward (Butterfield, 1963, p. Several years later trees were sent to a number of persons in California and Florida. These were planted in a greenhouse and immediately propagated for distribution. Saunders, superintendent of gardens and grounds for the U.S. The introduction that led to adoption of the name Washington and to its commercialization in California and most other countries where it is now grown, however, occurred in 1870 when twelve budded trees were received from Bahia by William 0. It is known that trees were sent from Australia to California as early as 1870 (Coit, 1915, p. The marked superiority of the new variety was noted by travelers and visitors and led to its introduction into Australia in 1824 and Florida in 1835. In the opinion of the writer, it is more likely that the parent variety was the Portuguese navel (Umbigo) orange described by Risso and Poiteau (1818-22) and that it originated somewhat earlier. Department of Agriculture concluded that it was probably a limb sport that was found in a tree of the Selecta variety near Bahia, Brazil, and first propagated some time between 18. The origin of the Washington or Bahia variety is not known but, after a study at first hand, Dorsett, Shamel, and Popenoe (1917) of the U.S. Anthers cream-colored, for they are devoid of pollen. Sensitive to heat and aridity during bloom and fruit-setting, and hence restricted in range of climatic adaptation. Tree round-topped, somewhat drooping, and medium in size and vigor. Fruit holds on tree and stores and ships relatively well, but processes poorly. Flesh color deep texture firm moderately juicy flavor rich. Rind medium-thick, somewhat tender surface coarsely pitted and moderately pebbled. "Fruit large, spherical to obovoid or ellipsoid base sometimes slightly collared apex often slightly protruded or broadly nippled navel medium to large and sometimes protruding navel seedless. The Washington navel orange is at its best in the late fall to winter months, but will hold on the tree for several months beyond maturity and stores well.ĭescription from The Citrus Industry Vol. These large round fruits have a slightly pebbled orange rind that is easily peeled, and the navel, really a small secondary fruit, sometimes protrudes from the apex of the fruit. Because of the lack of functional pollen and viable ovules, the Washington navel orange produces seedless fruits. The flowers lack viable pollen so the Washington navel orange will not pollinate other citrus trees. They have a round, somewhat drooping canopy and grow to a moderate size at maturity. Navel orange trees, in general, and Washington navel orange trees in particular, are not very vigorous trees. This accession had mild exocortis, removed by shoot tip grafting. These exceptionally delicious, seedless, easy-peeling fruits quickly attracted the attention of citrus growers, and within a decade the "Washington" navel orange, as it came to be known, was the most widely planted variety in the area.ĮMN, 1985: Buds taken from Parent Washington navel tree growing in plot on Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, Calif. Although the Florida trees did not flourish, those sent to Eliza Tibbets in Riverside, California found an ideal climate for their culture. it was propagated and trees were sent to California and Florida. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. Although its origins are uncertain, it is believed to come from a bud sport found in a Selecta orange tree in the early 1800s. Washington navel orange is also known as the Bahia for the Brazilian city from which it was imported into the United States in 1870. Received as budwood from another Washington navel tree, Riverside, Calif., 1918.
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