Native Citrus comes in many forms
By Paul Carmen ACRA register
Label Name: Citrus australasica ‘Alstonville’
Family: Rutaceae
ACRA Registration: 1125
Origin: The cultivar originated at Alstonville on the far north coast of NSW and was selected in 1989. Application received on 16 May 2005, applicant: Judy Viola.
Characteristics: A moderately dense tall shrub or small tree to a maximum of 3-4m high x 2m wide. The axillary spines are solitary, straight to 25mm long. The leaves are simple, obovate to elliptic and glabrous. The flowers are white with pink buds and are approximately 10-15mm in diameter. The fruit is a cylindrical berry, 4-8cm long and 15-25mm in diameter, from August to September, dark green to black, with translucent pale green vesicles.
Diagnosis: Citrus australasica ‘Alstonville’ is a tall growing selection which bears fruit earlier and in large clusters, with few to no seeds.
Cultural Notes: It also shows resistance to most citrus pests and diseases.
Propagation: Grafting, and has been test grafted on a number of rootstocks for over 15 years and shows no signs of incompatibility.
Uses: A suitable shrub for mixed plantings or tubs. Edible fruit.
Availability: Specialist native plant nurseries.
Above image: Citrus australasica ‘Alstonville’ (Image: Judy Viola)
Family: Rutaceae
ACRA Registration: 1158
Origin: Originator: Jim and Barbara O’Brien, Mt Burrell, Murwillumbah. ‘Blunobia’ is the name of the farm where the originators live. This cultivar was first introduced in 1988. Applicant: Judy Viola.
Characteristics: A dense medium shrub 2m high by 1m wide. The axillary spines are solitary, straight to 25mm long. The leaves are small and narrow, simple, obovate to elliptic and glabrous. The new foliage is light green in colour. The flowers are white with pink buds and are approximately 10-15mm in diameter and are on show from August to September. The fruit is a cylindrical berry, 4-8cm long and 15-25mm in diameter with green skin that has a brown overtone, vesicles are deep pink and easy to extract.
Diagnosis: Citrus australasica ‘Blunobia Pink Crystal’ is a compact shrub bearing fruit with deep pink vesicles.
Cultural Notes: Resistant to most citrus diseases.
Propagation: The plant has been compatibility tested at the applicant’s nursery on rootstocks over a period of 8 years and has shown no signs of inconsistency.
Uses: A suitable shrub for mixed plantings or in a tub. Edible fruit.
Availability: Specialist native plant nurseries.
Family: Rutaceae
ACRA Registration: 1161
Origin: This cultivar originated at Alstonville on the far north coast of NSW and was selected in 2000.
Characteristics: A very narrow, upright, tall shrub or small tree growing to a maximum of 2m high by 600mm wide. The leaves are small, rounded and delicate. The flowers are white with pink buds approximately 10-15mm in diameter and on show in October. The fruit is a cylindrical berry, 40-80mm long, 15-25mm in diameter and are mottled green/brown to black when fully ripe with clean smooth skin. The flesh is tangerine/red.
Note: The flesh/vesicles becomes darker when exposed to air for several hours.
Cultural Notes: It also shows resistance most citrus pests and diseases.
Propagation: This cultivar has been test-grafted on a number of rootstocks for 6 years and shows no signs of incompatibility.
Uses: A suitable shrub for mixed plantings or in a tub. Edible fruit.
Availability: Specialist native plant nurseries.
