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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #330645
Title: Weeping dragon, a unique ornamental citrus

Author
item Bowman, Kim

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/21/2017
Publication Date: 11/15/2018
Citation: Bowman, K.D. 2018. Weeping dragon, a unique ornamental citrus. HortScience. 53(11):1708-1710. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI11607-18.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI11607-18

Interpretive Summary: ‘Weeping Dragon’ is a new ornamental citrus cultivar released July 6, 2016 by the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. The major positive attributes of this new exotic ornamental citrus scion are the combination of strongly contorted and weeping growth traits in a moderately vigorous and healthy small orange-like tree, especially suited for use as a unique ornamental specimen. There is strong interest among Florida and other southern state homeowners in ornamental and novelty citrus.

Technical Abstract: ‘Weeping Dragon’ is a new ornamental citrus cultivar developed by intercrossing of two unusual and unique citrus types, Poncirus trifoliata cultivated variety (cv.) Flying Dragon, and Citrus sinensis cv. ‘Cipo’. This new hybrid cultivar combines strongly contorted and weeping growth traits in a small, healthy and attractive tree, well-suited for use as a unique ornamental specimen in a pot or the ground. Clean budwood is available from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Citrus Budwood Program, and the cultivar can be easily propagated by grafting budwood onto a standard citrus rootstock cultivar. The very small stature and unusual appearance of the ‘Weeping Dragon’ make it a good match for use as a potted tree around the backyard pool or as a novelty in the landscape.