SWEET ORANGE, JAFFA ORANGE

The sweet orange is the type normally imported from western countries in the temperate zones, hence it is grown and doing well in the Cameron Highlands where the temperature is more favorable then the lowlands. It differs from the other local sweet oranges in that the skin does not peel off easily like the mandarin or the local sweet orange. Another characteristic is the vertical streaks on the skin of the fruit. The sweet orange plant is a woody shrub which grows to a height of about 5 meters. The leaf measure about 10-12.5 cm by 2.5-3.75 cm. The top surface is dark green and the bottom paler green. There is no distinct wing on the petiole. It is oblong in shape, tapering at both ends but the tip is not pointed while the margins are slightly indented. The fruit is round, measuring about 10 cm in diameter. It is green when young, turning to yellowish green and finally orange in color. The skin is fairly rough but quite thin, about 25-30 mm, enclosing about 12 segments which are seeded. The flesh varies from yellow to orange in color. It is very juicy and sweet and not fibrous. The cultivation of this species should be encouraged, as it is doing very well in the highlands. It can be easily propagated from seeds or by marcotting