Star Ruby grapefruit

Citrus paradisi Macfadyen

CRC 3770

PI 539478

VI 355  

Photos by Toni Siebert and David Karp, CVC, 5/22/2008. Photo rights. Carrizo, 25 year old tree. 

Source: Received as budwood from the United States Date & Citrus Station, Indio, Ca, 1977.

Parentage/origins: Star Ruby grapefruit is the result of irradiated Hudson grapefruit seed from the breeding program of R. A. Hensz of Texas A & I University, Weslaco, Texas.

Rootstocks of accession: Carrizo citrange, C-35 citrange

Season of ripeness at Riverside: February to June

Notes and observations:

3/18/1988, EMN: Fruit is similar to Marsh or Redblush except for dark pink flesh. This is the darkest of the pigmented grapefruit so far. Fruits are smallish this year.

OJB: Compared to other grapefruit varieties, Star Ruby is more difficult to grow well.  It has exhibited greater susceptibility to phytophthora, nutrient deficiencies, cold temperatures, and pest problems.  It does not appear to grow as vigorously as other grapefruit varieties, and the fruit is often smaller.  Nevertheless, when grown well, Star Ruby produces attractive red-blushed fruits with a smooth yellow rind.  The flesh is very darkly-pigmented, juicy, and low-seeded or seedless.  Star Ruby’s season of maturity is mid to late-season, and the fruit holds well on the tree with some loss of flesh color as the season progresses. 

Availability: Commercially available in California through the Citrus Clonal Protection Program.

USDA Germplasm Resources Information Network page for Star Ruby Grapefruit

CVC Fruit Quality Data for Star Ruby grapefruit