Washington navel orange tree (Riverside, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree |
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Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree
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| Location | Corner of Magnolia and Arlington Streets, Riverside, California |
| Built | 1873 |
| Designated | June 1, 1932 |
| Reference no. | 20 |
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The Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree is a very special tree in Riverside, California. It was planted in 1873 by a woman named Eliza Tibbets. This tree is so important that it was named a California Historical Landmark (number 20) on June 1, 1932. You can find it at the corner of Magnolia Street and Arlington Street in Riverside.
This famous tree helped start the huge orange industry in Southern California. The original navel orange came from Bahia, Brazil. The United States Department of Agriculture brought twelve young trees to the U.S. in 1870. From these, small pieces (called buds) were carefully attached, or grafted, onto other orange trees in California. The Washington Navel Orange is also known as the California Navel Orange.
The navel orange is a unique type of sweet orange. It's actually a natural change, or mutation, of a regular orange. This special orange was first found in a monastery garden in Brazil way back in 1820.
In 1870, a small branch from this unique orange tree was sent to Washington, D.C.. That's why it's called the Washington Navel Orange. The name "navel orange" comes from a small bump or depression at the bottom of the fruit. It looks a bit like a human belly button! This special mutation also means the navel orange has no seeds, which makes it super easy to eat.
Perfect for California
Washington navel oranges were sent all over the United States. Oranges don't like freezing weather, so the warm climate of Southern California was perfect for growing them. This made the navel orange a huge success and helped the citrus industry grow big in California.
A Special Marker
At the site of the Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree in Riverside, California, there is a special marker. It tells the story of the tree:
- NO. 20 PARENT WASHINGTON NAVEL ORANGE TREE – The tree was introduced into the United States from Bahia, Brazil, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1870. Twelve young trees were received and buds from them were propagated on sweet orange seedlings. In 1873 two of these greenhouse-grown trees, which were distributed throughout the United States, were sent to Mrs. Eliza Tibbets in Riverside.
