Ruby Blood Orange

Ruby Blood Orange, also listed as Ruby Blood, was reported by Hodgson as introduced from an unknown Mediterranean country to Florida about 1880 and brought to California soon after. An Italian origin was suggested, but remains uncertain.^⁠[1]⁠[2]

Hodgson describes medium, globose to slightly oblong fruit with relatively few seeds and juicy flesh; red streaking and blood coloration vary with conditions. UCR reports no red pigmentation on the California coast and better, still variable color in hot inland districts. The tree is compact and moderately vigorous; UCR lists December–February ripening at Riverside.^⁠[1]⁠[2]

A Chiefland Budwood Facility account identifies clone DPI-441-10, whose parent trees came from Dr. Bill Castle's research block on Orie Lee's property in St. Cloud, Florida. The facility reported that this clone was released to industry in 1999; this is clone-program provenance, not a claim about Ruby's original cultivar release.^⁠[2]