A new fingered citron cultivar Feitian

Abstract:Feitian is a new fingered citron cultivar selected from natural bud sport of Qingpi (Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle). It was found in 2014 for the bright color of the flowers and the peculiar appearance of the fruit, which was much different from Qingpi fingered citron. Then it was grafted on citron for field trial over five years. The results ensured that the stability of the mutant material and the phenotypic characteristics of the leaves, flowers and fruits were consistent. It was finally selected as a new strain in 2020. The tree of Feitian fingered citron was upright with branches attaching alternate thorns and winged petioles. The color of young leaves was light green or mottled, and the mature leaves were mostly dark green, large and thick. The early flower buds were colored with anthocyanins and the petals were purplish red. The young fruit of Feitian was finger-shaped. The tip of the fruit was purplish-red and the rest of the fruit was bright green in the early stage. After maturity, the whole fruit turned yellow and the finger-like structure of the fruit gradually opened up from the tip to the base and reverses the direction of upward bending and opening. It would be suitable for cultivation in open field, greenhouse in the south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and the southwest China (such as Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou). From February to April every year, the tree of Feitian bloomed. The fruit appeared in early April. As the fruit matures, the color gradually turned from green to dark green and yellow. Feitian beared fruits until November, when the fruit color became golden yellow. The finger-like structure opened up completely like the palm of a hand. The crown of Feitian was short but the branches and leaves were lush during the period of rapid growth.