Citrus: sweet and sour by Malcolm W. Campbell BA, MAIH, MIPPS.

I can't imagine a less appropriate name to a fruit, that certainly bears no similarity to any grape I've ever seen or tasted! I can only think that the early ship Captains who saw them in the markets of Bermuda, saw them displayed as one would stack naval grape shot, in pyramids. Grapefruits are probably natural hybrids between a "Sweet orange "Citrus sinensis and a "Pummelo" Citrus maxima, but their progeny were given the botanical description of Citrus paradisi in 1830 and most citrus authorities still use it. Globally there are 3.8 million tonnes a year produced commercially, so it is a fairly significant citrus crop. The USA produces 2.4 million tonnes alone and at least 45% of that is consumed as fresh fruit. There are also huge areas of grapefruit and pummelo being planted in Australia's tropical north at the moment.

Grapefruits grown in areas where the temperature averages are over 26_C, each day, have decidedly sweeter flesh than those grown in cooler climates. That's why increasingly, commercial orchards are being established at Carnarvon WA, Humpty Doo NT and Mundubbera Qld, rather than in the Riverland SA, Sunraysia Vic-NSW, Narromine, Griffith, Leeton in NSW. Now in the home garden you don't have to be in a prime commercial area to grow grapefruit admittedly, but it will explain why your home-grown grapefruits will not be as sweet as the commercial ones, unless you live in any of these hotter areas! The rind thickness is also thicker on grapefruit grown in cooler climates, while in the tropics it is much thinner.

'Marsh Seedless' grapefruit (syn. 'White Marsh' and often just abbreviated to 'Marsh'), it originated as a seedling from a 'Duncan' variety growing in Lakeland Florida USA and after some 30 years it was named by C.M. Marsh in 1892. The 'Duncan' grapefruit is a commercial variety with a very tasty firm flesh but lots of seed, in fact 30-50 seeds per fruit, so it does not hold much appeal to the home gardener. It has to be admitted that even the 'Marsh Seedless' has the odd couple of seeds in the flesh, generally 2-3, but this certainly does not detract from its excellent juicy flavour, which is slightly astringent. That's after all what makes it such a popular taste bud stimulator over breakfast. The 'Marsh Seedless' can be left to hang on the tree for several months when they ripen, but the last fruits have lost their bite and taste pretty insipid. The tree generally grows larger than most home gardeners expect and I've seen some pretty young grapefruit trees breaking out of wine barrels after just a few years. grapefruit (syn. 'White Marsh' and often just abbreviated to 'Marsh'), it originated as a seedling from a 'Duncan' variety growing in Lakeland Florida USA and after some 30 years it was named by C.M. Marsh in 1892. The 'Duncan' grapefruit is a commercial variety with a very tasty firm flesh but lots of seed, in fact 30-50 seeds per fruit, so it does not hold much appeal to the home gardener. It has to be admitted that even the 'Marsh Seedless' has the odd couple of seeds in the flesh, generally 2-3, but this certainly does not detract from its excellent juicy flavour, which is slightly astringent. That's after all what makes it such a popular taste bud stimulator over breakfast. The 'Marsh Seedless' can be left to hang on the tree for several months when they ripen, but the last fruits have lost their bite and taste pretty insipid. The tree generally grows larger than most home gardeners expect and I've seen some pretty young grapefruit trees breaking out of wine barrels after just a few years.

'Pink Marsh' grapefruit (syn. 'Thompson') was the first so called 'seedless and pigmented' grapefruit. It appeared as a bud sport on a 'Marsh Seedless' grapefruit tree in W.B. Thompson's orchard at Oneco, Florida USA in 1913 although it wasn't named and distributed until 1924. It is very similar to the 'Marsh Seedless', but matures two weeks earlier and has a slightly pink tinge to the segment wall of the flesh, that fades with age. It was however a major colour break and has resulted in a plethora of more robust pink cultivars and selections, which are described here as 'Ruby'. grapefruit (syn. 'Thompson') was the first so called 'seedless and pigmented' grapefruit. It appeared as a bud sport on a 'Marsh Seedless' grapefruit tree in W.B. Thompson's orchard at Oneco, Florida USA in 1913 although it wasn't named and distributed until 1924. It is very similar to the 'Marsh Seedless', but matures two weeks earlier and has a slightly pink tinge to the segment wall of the flesh, that fades with age. It was however a major colour break and has resulted in a plethora of more robust pink cultivars and selections, which are described here as 'Ruby'.

'Ruby' grapefruit, which is generally regarded as being synonymous or at least very similkar to 'Ruby Blush', 'Ruby Red', 'Red Marsh', 'Redblush', 'Pink Flesh', 'Star Red', 'Star Ruby', 'Rio Red', 'Flame', 'Henderson', 'Ray', 'Ray Ruby', 'Henninger' and 'Red Seedless'. Some may be valid cultivars, but they are mostly pink fleshed sports of the 'Marsh Seedless'. The origin of the pink flesh colour break, has been attributed to a Mr A.E. Henninger in Texas USA, when he detected a bud sport on a 'Thompson' grapefruit in 1931. These cultivars are seedless and have pink flesh and skin tones that colour up much better when grown in hot conditions. Even the same variety will have more pigment when grown in the tropical north, than in the cooler south. Commercial growers claim they get the best pigment colour from 'Star Ruby', 'Flame', 'Rio Ruby', 'Ray Ruby', 'Henderson', 'Ruby Red' and 'Redblush'. All of the pink grapefruit trees make large vigorous specimens, so you should allow at least a 6 metre spread for planting them in the home garden.

'Wheeny' grapefruit is an Australian-bred pummelo x grapefruit hybrid, that originated as a seedling at Wheeny Creek near Kurrajong NSW in the 1930's and by 1935 had already be exported to New Zealand. It's a good cool climate grapefruit with large juicy fruit and pale yellow flesh. It is prone to cropping heavily in alternate years. grapefruit is an Australian-bred pummelo x grapefruit hybrid, that originated as a seedling at Wheeny Creek near Kurrajong NSW in the 1930's and by 1935 had already be exported to New Zealand. It's a good cool climate grapefruit with large juicy fruit and pale yellow flesh. It is prone to cropping heavily in alternate years.

'Matsumekin' is a Japanese grapefruit with exceptionally thin skin and a very juicy texture to the flesh. I've only seen this cultivar growing at Peter Young's Blackwood Nursery in Nambour Qld. is a Japanese grapefruit with exceptionally thin skin and a very juicy texture to the flesh. I've only seen this cultivar growing at Peter Young's Blackwood Nursery in Nambour Qld.

"Pummelo" is Citrus grandis and it's loosely referred to as "Pamplemousse" in French. That name however describes both the pummelo and the grapefruit, but since there are a number of hybrids between both, it's a pretty valid common name. The pummelo is currently the subject of great interest to warm-climate citrus orchardists in Australia, due to the importation of many new cultivars being trailed, principally from Philippines sources. I've seen small children in hills tribe villages in Nepal, kick the fruits around for days, playing soccer. They were only rarely eaten there, but since they stood up to so much footwork, I'm not surprised! is Citrus grandis and it's loosely referred to as "Pamplemousse" in French. That name however describes both the pummelo and the grapefruit, but since there are a number of hybrids between both, it's a pretty valid common name. The pummelo is currently the subject of great interest to warm-climate citrus orchardists in Australia, due to the importation of many new cultivars being trailed, principally from Philippines sources. I've seen small children in hills tribe villages in Nepal, kick the fruits around for days, playing soccer. They were only rarely eaten there, but since they stood up to so much footwork, I'm not surprised!

You will be encountering the pummelo much more regularly in your super market and green grocer in future, but I think it will be sold as a grapefruit. The bright red and maroon flesh of the tropical strains of pummelo, will leave any grapefruit for dead, if it's colour you are looking for. Now if it's taste that's a different matter. Many of the pummelos are decidedly lacking in strong grapefruit tastes, but then that may be to your advantage, if the taste of grapefruit doesn't turn you on.

'Bos Red' pummelo has the deepest maroon-coloured flesh and in common with most pummelos, lots of seeds. It is however the most cold-tolerant of the new generation of Philippines cultivars. pummelo has the deepest maroon-coloured flesh and in common with most pummelos, lots of seeds. It is however the most cold-tolerant of the new generation of Philippines cultivars.

'Pappas Pink' (syn. 'Pappas 2') pummelo is a red fleshed pummelo, with less seeds than 'Bos Red'. There is also a 'Pappas 1', with very dark green flesh and both are doing well in Queensland, but I'd suggest they are only available in limited quantities at present. (syn. 'Pappas 2') pummelo is a red fleshed pummelo, with less seeds than 'Bos Red'. There is also a 'Pappas 1', with very dark green flesh and both are doing well in Queensland, but I'd suggest they are only available in limited quantities at present.

'Flicks Yellow' pummelo has pale yellow flesh and is quite tasty, but not as rich as a grapefruit, nor as sweet as the northern varieties. pummelo has pale yellow flesh and is quite tasty, but not as rich as a grapefruit, nor as sweet as the northern varieties.

'Luzon' and 'Mindinao' are just two of the many Philippines pummelos coming into citrus orchards at present and only time will tell how well suited they are to our local soils and climate. and 'Mindinao' are just two of the many Philippines pummelos coming into citrus orchards at present and only time will tell how well suited they are to our local soils and climate.

'Termat' pummelo or "White Pummelo" is currently being grown commercially in the Northern Territory and is well suited to home gardens in warm areas. pummelo or "White Pummelo" is currently being grown commercially in the Northern Territory and is well suited to home gardens in warm areas.

'Bosworth Red' or "Red Pummelo" is being grown commercially in the Northern Territory and is well suited to home garden culture. It has a most attractive large green fruit, with a deep red tasty flesh. It also crops very heavily. or "Red Pummelo" is being grown commercially in the Northern Territory and is well suited to home garden culture. It has a most attractive large green fruit, with a deep red tasty flesh. It also crops very heavily.

'Oroblanco' pummelo (syn. 'Sweetie' or 'Golden Sweetie' in Israel), has a flesh notably sweeter than 'Marsh Seedless' and ripens at least three weeks earlier in the cool south or up to eight weeks earlier in warm areas. It does not yield as much fruit as 'Marsh Seedless' though and it cannot be left on the tree too long or else the fruit tastes rather astringent. Although this is currently a variety registered under the commonwealth's PBR legislation, which means it's only available to commercial growers, who pay a propagation royalty to use the name, I've seen it growing in private citrus orchards. This highlights one of the dilemmas with PBR legislation. It is not illegal to propagate from such cultivars and anyone can do that, but it is illegal to use the registered name to on-sell plants raised from it and to market the produce from such a registered PBR cultivar. pummelo (syn. 'Sweetie' or 'Golden Sweetie' in Israel), has a flesh notably sweeter than 'Marsh Seedless' and ripens at least three weeks earlier in the cool south or up to eight weeks earlier in warm areas. It does not yield as much fruit as 'Marsh Seedless' though and it cannot be left on the tree too long or else the fruit tastes rather astringent. Although this is currently a variety registered under the commonwealth's PBR legislation, which means it's only available to commercial growers, who pay a propagation royalty to use the name, I've seen it growing in private citrus orchards. This highlights one of the dilemmas with PBR legislation. It is not illegal to propagate from such cultivars and anyone can do that, but it is illegal to use the registered name to on-sell plants raised from it and to market the produce from such a registered PBR cultivar.

"Shaddock", looks for all the world like a pummelo, but its rind is markedly thicker. Some citrus growers insist they are the same as a pummelo, but Peter Young of Nambour insists they are different and I have to confess when seeing them lined up with pummelos, they look and taste different. looks for all the world like a pummelo, but its rind is markedly thicker. Some citrus growers insist they are the same as a pummelo, but Peter Young of Nambour insists they are different and I have to confess when seeing them lined up with pummelos, they look and taste different.

"Myrtle-leafed Orange" or "Chinotto", Citrus myrtifolia, has a very bitter fruit, but it is often crystallised or candied. A drink by the same name is popular with the alfresco set and judging by its bitter taste, must owe its origins to this plant. I've often seen the "Chinotto" offered in nurseries, but I haven't seen is growing. From reports I believe it to have attractive clusters of leaves and tangerine coloured fruits, so it must be quite stunning when in fruit. Landscapers are certainly prepared to use citrus more in their plantings these days, in the continental manner. The Oasis Motel in Alice Springs has a particularly fine row of citrus around one of its car parks, with oranges that I've often helped myself to. or "Chinotto", Citrus myrtifolia, has a very bitter fruit, but it is often crystallised or candied. A drink by the same name is popular with the alfresco set and judging by its bitter taste, must owe its origins to this plant. I've often seen the "Chinotto" offered in nurseries, but I haven't seen is growing. From reports I believe it to have attractive clusters of leaves and tangerine coloured fruits, so it must be quite stunning when in fruit. Landscapers are certainly prepared to use citrus more in their plantings these days, in the continental manner. The Oasis Motel in Alice Springs has a particularly fine row of citrus around one of its car parks, with oranges that I've often helped myself to.

'Poorman Orange' (syn. "New Zealand Grapefruit", "Kawau Grapefruit" and "Sunfruit") is the rind of choice for those who make their own marmalade jam. It was reported to have been brought to Australia from Shanghai in China in 1820 and specimens sent to New Zealand in 1855, where it gained some notoriety. This is the 'Sunfruit' that is grown in Swaziland and exported to England for their marmalade craving. (syn. "New Zealand Grapefruit", "Kawau Grapefruit" and "Sunfruit") is the rind of choice for those who make their own marmalade jam. It was reported to have been brought to Australia from Shanghai in China in 1820 and specimens sent to New Zealand in 1855, where it gained some notoriety. This is the 'Sunfruit' that is grown in Swaziland and exported to England for their marmalade craving.

'Seville' (syn. Citrus aurantium, 'Naranja Amarga' or 'Seville Marmalade') is possibly a "Sweet Orange" crossed with a "Grapefruit". It makes a particularly large tree to 5 or 6 metres, that sets reddish orange fruits with lots of seed. The flesh is too sour to drink, unless you are a vegan with a masochistic streak! The rind does however hold some interest to those who make their own marmalade, but apart from that it is an ornamental tree. It is propagated from seed and an essential oil of Petitgrain is distilled from its leaves, that is used in the perfume industry. The oil of Neroli is distilled from its flowers. (syn. Citrus aurantium, 'Naranja Amarga' or 'Seville Marmalade') is possibly a "Sweet Orange" crossed with a "Grapefruit". It makes a particularly large tree to 5 or 6 metres, that sets reddish orange fruits with lots of seed. The flesh is too sour to drink, unless you are a vegan with a masochistic streak! The rind does however hold some interest to those who make their own marmalade, but apart from that it is an ornamental tree. It is propagated from seed and an essential oil of Petitgrain is distilled from its leaves, that is used in the perfume industry. The oil of Neroli is distilled from its flowers.

'Smooth Flat Seville' is an Australian cultivar with leaves very similar to the 'Poorman Orange', being long and thin. It's used mainly for making marmalade, since it is too sour to juice. is an Australian cultivar with leaves very similar to the 'Poorman Orange', being long and thin. It's used mainly for making marmalade, since it is too sour to juice.

Citrus grandis var. decumana, is the largest fruiting member of the citrus clan. Its fruit is of no special merit for eating, but the enormous size of the fruit makes it a popular table decoration, where ever it is offered. I had one as a table decoration for three months before it started to deteriorate and I'm sure that if I'd slowly desiccated it in an oven, it would have kept indefinitely., is the largest fruiting member of the citrus clan. Its fruit is of no special merit for eating, but the enormous size of the fruit makes it a popular table decoration, where ever it is offered. I had one as a table decoration for three months before it started to deteriorate and I'm sure that if I'd slowly desiccated it in an oven, it would have kept indefinitely.