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Forbidden fruit (Citrus sp., Rutaceae) rediscovered in Saint Lucia

Fruit Defendu (Citrus sp., Rutacées) Redecouvert à Saint Lucia

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Abstract

Two kinds ofCitrus (Rutaceae) known as “forbidden fruit” have been found growing in Saint Lucia, West Indies. These trees correspond closely with descriptions in the Caribbean literature of the early 19th century for kinds ofCitrus called “forbidden fruit.” The forbidden fruit was thought to be long extinct. The close relationship of the forbidden fruit to the grapefruit and the high degree of monoembryony observed among some of the selections may make them important genetic resources for sweet orange, grapefruit, and rootstock breeding programs.

Abstract

Deux sortes deCitrus (Rutacées) connues comme “fruit defendu” ont été trouvées se developper à Saint Lucia, Antilles (Indes de l’Ouest). Ces arbres correspondent de très près aux descriptions des genres de Citrus appelés ”fruit defendu“ trouvés dans la literature Caraïbe au debut du 1 9eme siècle. Il a été pensé que lefruit defendu a été eteint. La relation très proche entre le fruit defendu et le pamplemousse (pomelo) et le haut degré de monoembryonie observé entre quelques selections peuvent les metlre des ressources genetiques importantes pour les programmes de croisement et de propagation des oranges, de pamplemousses, et des porte-greffes.

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Bowman, K.D., Gmitter, F.G. Forbidden fruit (Citrus sp., Rutaceae) rediscovered in Saint Lucia. Econ Bot 44, 165–173 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02860484

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