The original records of the group of hybrids giving rise to the Thornton tangelo were lost, so that the pollen parent is not definitely known. As many of the sister hybrids show unmistakable tangerine characteristics, however, it is safe to say that this fruit is a tangelo with grapefruit the known seed parent. Fruit the size of a small grapefruit, 3 1/4 to 3 3/4 inches in transverse diameter by 2 7/8 to 3 1/4 inches in height, flattened at blossom end and tapering slightly toward stem end, calyx set in slight depression, having shallow radiating grooves in the rind; color similar to common orange; rind soft and thick (three-sixteenths to one-fourth inch), somewhat wrinkled and pebbly, the roughness in part due to deeply indented large and numerous oil cells, free peeling, of kid-glove character and puffy when ripe; segments 10 to 12, separating easily and having considerable adhering membrane or rag, open core with pithy central column; pulp very soft and melting, juicy, translucent, of mild flavor, sweet, somewhat lacking in acidity, especially when fully ripe, slight aroma ; color of pulp, pale orange ; seeds varying from 10 to 25 per fruit, long and slender, resembling orange seeds but greenish in cross section. Tree evergreen, thrifty and productive, about as tender as grapefruit ; leaves unifoliate, rather large and long-pointed, resembling common sweet orange rather than either parent. The season of this fruit is from December to March. The Thornton tangelo grown in the intensely hot, irrigated Coachella Valley at the United States Experiment Date Garden at Indio, Calif., has shown itself to be very well adapted to this severe climate. Although the fruit is smaller than that grown in Florida, it is of excellent quality.