Kirby finger lime

Australian finger lime
Microcitrus australasica

CRC 4302
VI 1491
PI 706692
RRUT 569

Source

Received as open-pollinated seed material from New South Wales, Australia, 2012.

Parentage/origins

Open pollinated seedling of 'Judy's Everbearing'.

Rootstocks of accession

Citrus macrophylla

Season of ripeness at Riverside

Year round; peak fruit production is October to December

Season of flowering at Riverside

February to April

Notes and observations

11/2020: Part of a group of three open-pollinated seed lots of Australian finger lime cultivars, 'Blunobia Pink Crystal', 'Byron Sunrise', and 'Judy's Everbearing', selected by Judy Viola or colleagues. Approximately 100 seeds of each seed lot was received, planted, and germinated in the greenhouse at USDA NCGRCD. June 2014, 40 seedlings from each seed lot was selected and budded onto Citrus macrophylla rootstock. Trees were planted in 2016 in the Citrus Variety Collection, 12D block. Annual fruit quality evaluations were performed on seedlings in 2018. Tree health ratings were performed annually. In the Riverside climate, it was determined that sampling was ideal in October and November, excluding any additional crop bearing later in season. Data and progress on evaluations presented at AFL virtual event at California Citrus Nurserymen meeting 11/2020. Participants in AFL virtual event asked to participate in rating most promising AFL selections. All 18 selections presented were favored and requested for clean-up and release. (AFL virtual event presentation, RRK)

09/2025: Selections made from initial 2018-2020 years of evaluations continued for fruit quality evaluations and tree health ratings until 2022. Formally submitted to CCPP in 2021, with exception of one genotype that declined in field. USDA NCGRCD formally published release of 17 AFL selections.

Description from USDA NCGRCD Release

Seedling P2014-174-18. Open pollinated seedling of 'Judy's Everbearing'. The tree is rated small to medium in size with a moderately dense canopy and an upright to spreading growth habit. Budunion is smooth and no suckering has been observed. The fruit set is considered moderate. Branches bear many single spines, typical of Microcitrus australasica, averaging 10.80 mm in length. Mature leaves average 16.40 mm × 8.35 mm. The leaf shape is obovate, with a cuneate base. The leaf apex is rounded to obtuse. The leaf margin is unevenly dentate. Flowers and fruit are borne singly in leaf axils on short stout pedicels 1-5 mm long. The fruit shape is straight. Mature fruit external color is medium green and weighs an average of 14.60 g at maturity. Mature fruit ranges from 3.48 – 5.29 cm in length and 1.91 – 2.72 cm in width at maturity. The number of locules per fruit range from 5 to 6. Pulp vesicles are green and green-white. Seeds are numerous.