Frost Eureka Lemons
Eureka lemon is one of the most commonly-grown lemons in California and a major variety throughout the citrus-growing world. It originated in a group of seedling trees grown in Los Angeles, California in the 1850s. The seeds that produced these trees were of Italian origin.
As is typical of lemon trees, Eureka trees grow vigorously with a spreading and open form. Eureka lemon trees are slightly less cold-hardy and are less thorny than Lisbon lemon trees. The new growth and flowers are tinged with purple. Eureka lemon trees bear multiple crops per year, but the main season is late winter, spring, and early summer. The fruits are borne on the outside of the canopy and are frequently held in clusters. Eureka lemons are medium-small, elliptical in shape, and sometimes longitudinally ridged. The fruits usually have a slight neck and a short nipple. The rind is yellow at maturity, has sunken oil glands, and is slightly textured. The flesh is pale greenish-yellow, low-seeded, and very acidic. There are many named selections of Eureka lemon, with individual characteristics that distinguish them from the original clone.
Fruit medium-small, elliptical to oblong, sometimes obovate; commonly with short neck or low collar at base; usually short but sometimes long apical mammilla or nipple; frequently surrounded with areolar furrow. Seed content variable but usually few to none. Color yellow at maturity. Rind medium-thick; surface finely pitted with sunken oil glands, slightly rugose, commonly with low longitudinal ridges; tightly adherent. Segments about 10; axis small and usually solid. Flesh color greenish-yellow; fine-grained, tender, juicy; flavor highly acid. Crop well distributed throughout year, but mainly in late winter, spring, and early summer.
Tree medium in vigor and size, spreading and open in growth habit, virtually thornless; sparsely foliated (in comparison with Lisbon and others); strongly everbearing and produces fruit at the ends of long branches; precocious; productive. Tree lacking vigor compared with most other varieties; more sensitive to cold, insect infestation, and neglect; shorter-lived.
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