Ruby Blood Oranges
Ruby blood orange was introduced from an unknown Mediterranean country to Florida about 1880 and brought to California soon after.
The development of blood coloration in Ruby is variable and for this reason, it has not become a popular variety. In California's coastal region, it never develops red pigmentation. Ruby is at its best in hot interior districts, however under these conditions the pigmentation is still variable. Ruby has since been used as a parent variety in the development of new varieties of citrus and it has been found that although Ruby itself is poorly colored, its progeny tends to be very highly colored.
Fruit medium-sized, globose to slightly oblong; faint areolar circular furrow or ridge; seeds relatively few. Well-colored, with reddish flush under favorable conditions. Rind medium-thick, finely pitted, and lightly pebbled. Flesh tender and juicy; flavor rich. Flesh color orange, streaked (rather than flecked) with red under favorable conditions. Midseason in maturity.
Tree moderately vigorous, compact, medium-large, and productive.
Several unnamed clones or selections are known to exist which differ in blood coloration development and other minor respects.
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