Kinokuni mandarin

CRC 3887
PI 433259
VI 402 (No longer available)

Source

Received as budwood from Japan, via Glen Dale & CCPP, 1979.

Parentage/origins

Parents unknown.

Rootstocks of accession

Carrizo citrange, C-35 citrange

Season of ripeness at Riverside

November to December

Notes and observations

The older seedy budline of Kinokuni was imported as seed about 1915, see CRC 696.

EMN, 4/1987: This is a small fruited, early season mandarin.

Description from The Citrus Industry Vol. 1 (1967)

"This species is the kishû mikan of Japan.  The fruit is small, somewhat oblate, depressed at both ends, orange-colored, and glossy.  The thin, comparatively tight rind is easily peelable and fragrantly aromatic.  The flesh is firm, meaty, and pleasantly sweet in flavor.  Seeds are few, polyembryonic, and have pale green cotyledons.  Fruit maturity occurs in early midseason.

The kinokuni is said to be a very old species of Chinese origin and one of the earliest introduced into Japan, where it is still popular because of its pleasant flavor and rich fragrances Tanaka (1954, p. 136) states that at least four varieties are known, the largest of which is Hirakishu.  Mukakukishu is a completely seedless variety."

Availability

No longer commercially available in California. This accession no longer has an approved bud source. Please refer to the CCPP for information on another approved bud source or to start a reintroduction inquiry.

USDA Germplasm Resources Information Network page for Citrus kinokuni