Cecily grapefruit (CRC 2014)

Citrus paradisi Macfadyen

CRC 2014

PI 539463  

Source: Received as budwood from Date Gardens, Indio, Ca, 1930.

Parentage/origins: This is a variety that originated and was named on the Amanzi Estate of Sir Percy Fitzpatrick at Uten Hague Cape, Province, South Africa, and is named after Sir Percy's daughter. It is supposed to have come from the Walters as a bud sport-- this is doubtful--HJW.

Rootstocks of accession: Carrizo citrange, C-35 citrange

Season of ripeness at Riverside: February to June

Notes and observations:

3/18/1988, EMN: This is virtually indistinguishable from Marsh; and its daughter, CRC 3637, appears to be identical to it.  

Description from The Citrus Industry Vol. 1 (1967):

" This South African variety is so similar to Marsh that the two are virtually indistinguishable.  It was found near Uitenhage, Cape Colony, in 1922, presumably as a limb sport, in a small planting of trees of the Walters variety that had been imported from Florida.  It was named by the owner, Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, in honor of his daughter Cecily.
      In South Africa, it is said to differ somewhat in growth habit from Marsh and the fruit is less oblate and of finer texture.  In California, however, these differences have not been noted.  It is grown to some extent in the region of its origin but is not replacing Marsh elsewhere. "

Availability: Not commercially available in California.

USDA Germplasm Resources Information Network page for Celcily grapefruit (CRC 2014)