Temple Tangor

Temple is described as a natural tangor, but its exact parents remain uncertain. A DNA-marker study inferred Willowleaf mandarin × sweet orange for its tested Temple accession A186; that result does not establish the cross for every Temple tree.^⁠[1]⁠[2]

The tree is moderate in size and sensitive to cold. The fruit develops a satisfactory sugar to acid ratio only when grown in the warmest interior valleys. When grown in a suitable location, the fruit is large, usually subglobose, with a pebbled, reddish-orange rind. The flesh is orange-colored, tender, and juicy with a rich flavor. Temple is medium to late in maturity.^⁠[1]

Fruit medium-large, very broadly obovate to slightly subglobose; sometimes with short, wrinkled, or furrowed neck; frequently with small, sometimes protruding navel; seedy. Rind color deep reddish-orange; medium-thick; surface somewhat pebbled or rough, and moderately adherent, but readily peelable. Segments 10 to 12 and axis mainly solid. Flesh orange-colored; tender, moderately juicy; flavor rich and spicy. Seed monoembryonic. Medium-late in maturity.^⁠[1]

Tree of medium vigor, spreading and bushy, somewhat thorny; leaves medium-sized and mandarin-like; productive. More cold-sensitive than any of the mandarins or oranges.^⁠[1]

UCR’s historical account says Temple performs best on sour-orange or Cleopatra mandarin rootstocks and heavier soils in Florida. UF/IFAS advises against sour orange because of tristeza concerns. Both accounts emphasize that Temple’s performance is site-dependent: UCR describes high heat needs and cold sensitivity, and says reliable California quality is limited to the hottest interior districts.^⁠[1]⁠[6]

The origin and history of this variety are somewhat obscure. According to Ziegler and Wolfe (1961) and Harding (1959), it originated in Jamaica and came to the attention of a Florida fruit buyer about 1896, who ran across a seedling tree of outstanding quality. The buyer sent budwood to several friends at Oviedo, Florida, who budded a few trees of this "Jamaica" orange. About 1900, Allan Mosely, an orchard caretaker in the Winter Park area, is said to have obtained budwood from one of the friends, J. H. King. Mosely budded a tree in a young orchard under his care which in 1914 came into the ownership of L. A. Hakes. The following year Hakes called the tree to the attention of a neighbor, W. C. Temple, former manager of the Florida Citrus Exchange, who in turn reported its unusual qualities to his friend and former associate, M. E. Gillett, president of Buckeye Nurseries, a leading citrus nursery. Exclusive propagation rights were obtained in 1916. The variety was named and introduced in 1919 and was promoted on a large scale.^⁠[1]

Reported harvest timing differs by growing context: UF/IFAS gives January–March maturity in Florida, while Thomas Osborne says his Southern California fruit did best in May–June. UF/IFAS says seeds usually number 15–20 per fruit; a 2020 Florida Grower article reports up to 40 seeds in Standard Temple.^{⁠[6]⁠[8]⁠[7]}