One of the citrus varieties in the mix, and it just does its job, reliably.
The Basics
Navel orange, Citrus sinensis, is a citrus tree in the family Rutaceae.
Origin and Habitat
Sweet oranges originated in Asia, and the navel mutation itself traces back to a single tree found in Brazil in the 1800s, later spread worldwide through grafting.
What It Looks Like
A seedless orange with the telltale small “navel” formation at the blossom end. Ours never fully turns orange since it’s too warm here, but it flowers year round, so there are always fruits on the tree somewhere.
Uses and Flavor
Sweet, easy to peel, and seedless, which makes it one of the most popular fresh-eating oranges anywhere. The zest is great on just about everything.
Growing It Here
Alongside Meyer lemon, Tahitian lime, and tangelo in our citrus lineup. Nothing dramatic to report, it just does its job.
Pests and Diseases to Watch For
Standard citrus pests like scale and leaf miner would apply, nothing specific to report from ours.
Kenta’s Take
Some trees are the reliable, no-drama workhorses of the collection. This is one of them, and it’s a genuine winner.