US SunDragon

Description

Tree Size (as shipped):  26 – 30 inches
Mature Tree Size (Approx. 10 yrs): 12 – 14 feet
Harvest:  October through January
Seeds Per Fruit: 5 – 10 per fruit
Grafting: Grafted – Standard Rootstock

USDA-ARS recently released the ‘US SunDragon.’ This variety was been observed in the USDA trial blocks for quite some time, as the cross dates back to 1999. The fruit is large (about the size of a navel orange), is peelable, and has some seed (five to 10 per fruit). The highly pebbled peel is orange. The flesh is light orange with a slightly crisp texture. It is relatively low in acidity, and the flavor is like a mild orange with a distinctive zesty note. This variety has shown strong tolerance to HLB and will be a good breeding parent for tolerance but also may have value as a niche or homeowner variety. It certainly fits the “exotic” label. The fruit is mature October through January. The ‘US SunDragon’ is public domain.

Fruit photo courtesy of USDA – ARS.