Nova Mandarin

Nova Mandarin

(Citrus reticulata 'Nova')

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

The Nova mandarin (Citrus reticulata 'Nova') is a mandarin × tangelo hybrid from a cross made in Florida in 1942 and released in 1964, selected for its early ripening and remarkable flavor quality. Its hardiness reaches 14°F (−10°C) on the tree, making it suitable for planting in the ground in USDA zones 8a to 8b. The tree grows up to 16 ft (5 m) tall according to Vessière, with an upright habit, evergreen foliage and fragrant white flowers. Its deep orange, medium to large fruits (4.2 to 6.3 oz, or 120 to 180 g), with thin skin moderately easy to peel, ripen from November to January, with very juicy, sweet, fragrant flesh and an intensified, characteristic mandarin aroma. A few seeds. Excellent fresh, as juice, in salads and in sorbet. Very productive, the tree loads up easily with fruit. Graft onto Poncirus trifoliata, plant against a south-facing wall, in well-drained soil, with generous winter mulch. Harvest before severe frosts.

Identity

OriginUnited States (USDA Orlando, Florida)

Genetic originHybrid of Fina clementine × Orlando tangelo (tangor)

USDA zone8a

Cold hardiness14°F (−10°C)

Fruit cold hardiness27°F (−3°C)

GrowthVigorous

Height16 ft (5 m)

HarvestJanuary, February, December

SeedsFew

UsesFresh eating, Juice

FlavorsSweet, Tart

History & Description

Origin

The Nova mandarin, also called Clemenvilla in the Mediterranean basin, is a tangor created in 1942 at the USDA station in Orlando, Florida, by crossing the Fina clementine with the Orlando tangelo. Released commercially in the 1960s, it became very popular in Spain, Morocco and Uruguay for its productivity and exceptional vigor. Its commercial name varies by country: Nova in the United States, Clemenvilla in Spain, Suntina in Israel. Its toughness and relative cold resistance for a tangor have made it a pivotal variety of modern mandarin growing. Long absent from French catalogs, it is reappearing thanks to specialist nurseries such as Vessières, as part of collections for amateurs.

Tree description

The tree is very vigorous and very productive, able to reach 16 ft (5 m) tall at maturity with a semi-upright habit. The dark green evergreen foliage recalls that of tangors, with leaves broader than those of classic mandarins. The spring bloom is abundant and produces a heavy fruit set that may require manual thinning. Growth is fast on young plants, bringing the first fruit as early as the second or third year after planting.

Fruit quality

The fruit reaches about 4.2 oz (120 g), with a very bright, vivid orange color. The flesh is very firm and juicy, containing 4 to 6 seeds on average. The taste combines the sugar of the clementine with the tart freshness inherited from the Orlando tangelo, producing an aromatic complexity superior to classic mandarins. The skin is moderately thick and peels adequately when the fruit is ripe, without excessive effort.

Flavor and ornamental interest

A midseason variety, excellent eaten plain between December and February, it offers an interesting alternative to classic clementines through its aromatic complexity. Its generous, fragrant juice is perfect for fresh juices and sorbets. In cooking, its sweet-tart taste pairs well with poultry marinades and frozen desserts. As an ornamental, its high productivity makes it a remarkable tree in winter, loaded with brilliant fruit.