Auline

Auline

(Citrus hybrid 'Auline')

Documented by Léo — grown in the ground, USDA zone 8b

Auline (Citrus hybrid 'Auline') is a complex citrus hybrid of still-debated botanical classification, identified in nursery collections as particularly interesting for its hardiness and balanced flavor quality. Its hardiness reaches 12°F (−11°C) on the tree according to nurseries, making it suitable for in-ground growing in USDA zone 8a. The tree reaches about 13 ft (4 m) with a slightly weeping habit, evergreen foliage, and fragrant white flowers in spring. Its large fruit, about 9 oz (250 g), smooth and yellow-orange like a big grapefruit, ripen from February to April, with a harvest sometimes extended to June depending on the nursery, and offer juicy flesh with a balanced sour-sweet taste and aromatic notes recalling both mandarin and yuzu. Excellent for fresh eating by enthusiasts and in blended juice. Niche variety for collectors of hybrid citrus. Graft onto Poncirus trifoliata, south-facing wall, well-drained soil.

Identity

OriginNot documented (distributed by French nurseries)

Genetic originComplex hybrid: (Ichang lemon or yuzu × grapefruit) × orange

USDA zone8a

Cold hardiness12°F (−11°C)

Fruit cold hardiness25°F (−4°C)

GrowthVigorous

Height13 ft (4 m)

HarvestFebruary, March, April

SeedsModerate

UsesJuice, Savory cooking

FlavorsSour then sweet, Highly aromatic

History & Description

Origin

Auline is a complex citrus hybrid distributed by French specialist nurseries. Pep'ain describes it as a cross between an Ichang lemon, a grapefruit and an orange, with the formula (Citrus junos × Citrus paradisi) × Citrus sinensis; Agrumerie Vessière gives the same three parents. Where and when it was bred is not documented.

Tree description

The tree is moderately vigorous and productive, with a slightly weeping habit and evergreen foliage, and reaches about 13 ft (4 m). It is self-fertile and flowers in spring. Nurseries rate its hardiness at about 12°F (−11°C) on Poncirus trifoliata or Forner-Alcaide 5 rootstock.

Fruit quality

The large fruit, about 9 oz (250 g), looks like a big, smooth, yellow-orange grapefruit. The zest is aromatic, with marked yuzu notes. The orange flesh becomes sweet at full maturity, in March; harvest runs from February to June according to Pep'ain.

Flavor and ornamental interest

Picked early, it can be used like a yuzu for juice, cocktails and cooking; fully ripe, it is eaten fresh like a slightly tart grapefruit. Its large golden fruit hanging through late winter and spring also make it an attractive tree for cold-winter gardens.