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Navelate Navel Oranges

Navelate Navel Oranges

Navelate (VI 548) is a selection discovered in 1948 in the Castellon Province of Spain as a limb spot on a Washington navel orange tree. This selection was released for propagation in Spain in 1957 and imported into California in 1991. As a recent import into California, it has not been evaluated extensively yet.

Navelate trees are reported to be vigorous and slightly larger than Washington navel orange trees. The fruit are somewhat smaller than Washington navel fruit with a smaller and often concealed navel structure. The rind of Navelate has a similar texture to that of Washington navel but the rind is thinner and more difficult to peel. Navelate fruit are also reported to hang on the tree for four months or more without appreciable loss of quality.

Fruit similar to Washington but somewhat paler in color; navel less prominent and more commonly closed; rind thinner and more leathery; flesh less firm and juicier; flavor less sprightly. Matures two to three weeks later than Washington and holds on tree considerably better and later without loss of quality.

Tree somewhat more vigorous and productive.