University of Florida Plant Information

Minneola Tangelo

HS171

The Minneola tangelo (Figure 1) is a Duncan grapefruit x Dancy tangerine hybrid released in 1931 by the United States Department of Agriculture Horticultural Research Station in Orlando. This tangelo (like other tangelo cultivars) is therefore 1/2 tangerine and 1/2 grapefruit. The fruit is quite handsome and a genuine pleasure to eat. the gift fruit trade, but the proper name remains Minneola. The fruit is usually fairly large, typically 3–3½ inches in diameter. The peel color is quite good and at peak maturity achieves a bright reddish-orange color. The peel is relatively thin, smooth, and tends to adhere to the internal fruit surface. Seed numbers are few, but variable, and range from 0 up to perhaps as many as 15 seeds per fruit. Fruit produced on trees in solid plantings of Minneola are likely to be seedless (or nearly so), while trees in mixed plantings will typically have 7–12 seeds due to the influence of cross-pollination. Minneola is not strongly self-fruitful and yields will be greater when interplanted with suitable pollenizing cultivars such as Temple, Sunburst, or possibly Fallglo.

1. This document is HS171, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date September 2003. Revised April 2018, March 2021, and February 2024. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

2. Larry K. Jackson (deceased), professor emeritus and Extension horticulturist; and Stephen H. Futch, Extension agent IV, emeritus; Citrus Research and Education Center, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Dancy Tangerine

HS169

Dancy (Figure 1) is one of the oldest tangerine varieties known in Florida. The variety originated in 1867 from a seed of Moragne tangerine in the grove of Colonel F. L. Dancy of Orange Mills. Dancy has been a very popular variety over the years but is no longer widely planted due to a number of production problems that will be discussed later. There are still a few groves of Dancy as well as numerous dooryard trees, but this variety has been replaced over the years by new tangerine hybrids such as Robinson, Sunburst, and Honey (Murcott).

1. This document is HS169, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date September 1993. Revised March 2003, June 2018, March 2021, and February 2024. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. 2. Larry K. Jackson (deceased), professor emeritus and Extension horticulturist; and Stephen H. Futch, Extension agent IV, emeritus; UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, UF/IFAS Extension Gainesville, FL 32611.

Murcott (Honey Tangerine)

HS174

The actual origin of the Murcott (Figure 1) is unknown but is most likely a tangor, which is a cross between a tangerine and a sweet orange. The early history discusses the possibility that the variety originated in a USDA planting around 1916. In about 1922, early history states that Mr. Charles Murcott Smith had a nursery in Bayview, Pinellas County, Florida where several of these trees were located. Mr. Smith most likely obtained the original trees from the USDA. At the present time, it is the most widely grown late Florida tangerine and the fruit is marketed under the name Honey Tangerine; however, its official variety name is Murcott.

1. This document is HS174, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date September 2003. Revised April 2018, March 2021, and February 2024. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

2. S. H. Futch, Extension agent IV, emeritus; and L. K. Jackson (deceased), professor emeritus and Extension horticulturist; UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Robinson Tangerine

HS178

The Robinson (Figure 1) is one of the released citrus hybrids originating from a Clementine x Orlando cross made by Gardner and Bellows at the United States Department of Agriculture Station in Orlando in 1942. It was officially released as a cultivar by Reece and Gardner in 1959. Since the fruit is 3/4 tangerine and 1/4 grapefruit, it looks most like a tangerine and is marketed as one even though it is technically a citrus hybrid.

1. This document is HS178, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date September 1993. Revised March 2003, April 2018, March 2021, and February 2024. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

2. Larry K. Jackson (deceased), professor emeritus and Extension horticulturist; and Stephen H. Futch, Extension agent IV, emeritus; UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Pintoi Peanut: A Seed-propagated Perennial Peanut Forage Option for Florida

SS-AGR-445

Pintoi peanut (Arachis pintoi; also known as pinto peanut, forage peanut, or maní forrajero) is a perennial peanut species native to South America and propagated by seeds. Pintoi peanut and rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata) are the two most relevant perennial peanut species used as forage; however, the first has been more extensively studied and used in South and Central America, while the second is more common in the southern United States, including Florida. Pintoi peanut is tolerant to grazing and adapted to poorly-drained, low-fertility soils. Because of its adaptability to Florida’s environmental conditions and ability to produce viable seeds, pintoi peanut represents an interesting forage alternative for cow-calf producers in the state. This document provides current information on pintoi peanut for forage and livestock producers in Florida.

1. This document is SS-AGR-445, one of a series of the Agronomy Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 2020. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

2. Joao M. D. Sanchez, research associate, UF/IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center; Joao Vendramini, professor, Agronomy Department, UF/ IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center; Maria L. Silveira, professor, Department of Soil and Water Sciences, UF/IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center; Jose C. B. Dubeux Jr., associate professor, Agronomy Department, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center; Lynn E. Sollenberger, distinguished professor, Agronomy Department; and Philipe Moriel, assistant professor, Department of Animal Sciences, UF/IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Growing Plums in Florida

HS895

Plums could be a potential crop for growers and homeowners in Florida and other mild winter areas throughout the Gulf coast, but many plum varieties from the west coast will not consistently perform well enough in Florida to produce fruit. However, the University of Florida’s stone fruit breeding program has developed cultivars that improve the potential for growing plums in Florida and other mild winter areas that have high disease pressure. These cultivars are recommended for trial in Florida. The names of all University of Florida plum cultivars begin with the prefix ‘Gulf.’ These cultivars are Japanese type plums (Prunus salicina Lindl.) and have resistance to plum leaf scald (Xylella fastidiosa) and bacterial spot (Xanthomonas campestris). Fruit size is satisfactory (about 1½ to 2 inches in diameter) with good fruit quality. They ripen in early to late May, approximately two weeks before plums from other areas arrive in the marketplace.

1. This document is HS895, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date March 2005. Revised April 2012, January 2016, and September 2018. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. A. Sarkhosh, assistant professor and Extension specialist; M. Olmstead, assistant professor, Horticultural Sciences Department; E. P. Miller, former biologist, Horticultural Sciences Department; P. C. Andersen, professor, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center; and J. G. Williamson, professor; Horticultural Sciences Department; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Growing Pomegranates in Florida: Establishment Costs and Production Practices

FE1024

Pomegranate, native to central Asia and mainly produced in India and Iran, is highly adaptive to a wide range of climates and soil conditions, and can grow in many geographical regions. In the United States, California is the major production area. Pomegranate has long been valued for its high nutritional value. Research shows that pomegranate has marked antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-carcinogenic activities, and has efficacy against a series of human diseases (Viuda-Martos et al. 2010). With increasing awareness of its health benefits, consumers have shown growing interest in consuming pomegranate fruits and juices. In Florida, pomegranate is an emerging, alternative crop to major crops under tremendous competition pressure (e.g., tomato and strawberry) or threatened by serious diseases (e.g., citrus greening). This study provides a description of pomegranate production practices and preliminary cost estimates to inform investment and production decisions when growers look to diversify and grow pomegranate as a niche crop.

1. This is EDIS document FE1024, a publication of the Food and Resource Economics Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Published July 2017. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. Feng Wu, research assistant scientist, Food and Resource Economics Department, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Balm, FL; Zhengfei Guan, assistant professor, Food and Resource Economics Department, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Balm, FL; and Gary Vallad, associate professor, Plant Pathology Department, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Balm, FL.

The Pomegranate

HS44

Scientific Name: Punica granatum L.

Family: Punicaceae

1. This document is HS44, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date April 1994. Revised October 2018. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

2. Ali Sarkhosh, assistant professor and Extension specialist; and Jeff Williamson, professor and Extension specialist; Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Opuntia spp. Prickly Pear Cactus

FPS448

Pronunciation: oh-PUN-shee-uh species

Common name(s): prickly pear cactus

Family: Cactaceae Plant type: shrub

USDA hardiness zones: 3B through 11 (Fig. 1) Planting month for zone 7: year round

Planting month for zone 8: year round Planting month for zone 9: year round

Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round Origin: native to Florida

Uses: mass planting; border

Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant

1. This document is FPS448, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date October 1999. Reviewed February 2014. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Sunburst Tangerine

HS168

Sunburst (Figure 1) is the most widely grown commercial early Florida tangerine. It is a cross between the two citrus hybrids Robinson and Osceola. This cross was made in 1961 and was released for commercial use in 1979 by C. J. Hearn of the United States Department of Agriculture in Orlando.

1. This document is HS168, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date September 1993. Revised April 201, March 2021, and February 2024. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

2. Stephen H. Futch, Extension agent IV emeritus; and Larry K. Jackson (deceased), professor emeritus and Extension horticulturist; UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.