Citron of Commerce

Citrus medica L.

CRC 3518

PI 539419

Photos by David Karp, CVC, 12/5/2006. Photo rights.

Source: Received as budwood from Dr. John Carpenter, USDA Date & Citrus Station, Indio, California, 1966. Open pollinated seedling.

Parentage/origins: Parents unknown.

Rootstocks of accession: Yuma ponderosa lemon

Season of ripeness at Riverside: November to January

Notes and observations:

12/22/1987, EMN: This is apparently NOT Citron of Commerce (Corsican citron). Citrus Industry description fits fairly well except: this accession is sour whereas Citron of Commerce is supposed to be "sweet" (without acid)". See CRC 1795, Corsican citron.

12/5/2006, DK & TS: Medium pebbly rind. Elongate, pointed at apex. Thick, sweet rind; flesh tart, fairly juicy for a citron. Citron of Commerce is supposed to resemble Corsican, but the CVC specimen does not, since it is tart.

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

"Fruit large, ellipsoid to very slightly obovate; basal area slightly depressed and radially furrowed; apical nipple suppressed or indistinct (less prominent than in Diamante); seedy.  Color lemon-yellow.  Rind very thick and fleshy; surface rather rough, bumpy, and commonly somewhat ribbed.  Flesh crisp and solid; lacking in juice; flavor sweet (without acid).
      Tree small, open and spreading; medium-thorny with some large, stout spines (very much like Diamante); buds, flowers and new growth not purpie-tinted.
      This variety is said to be the best and most important citron in Corsica and presumably originated there, although its history is unknown.  It was introduced into the United States about 1891 and distributed under the name Corsican.  Citron of Commerce in California is indistinguishable."

Availability: Not commercially available in California.

USDA Germplasm Resources Information Network page for Citron of Commerce