Citrus sinensis 'Cara Cara'

Cara Cara Navel Orange Tree (Citrus sinensis ‘Cara Cara’) is prized for producing exceptionally sweet flavour and distinctive reddish-pink flesh oranges, similar in colour to red grapefruit. The large fruit, typically 5–13 cm in diameter, is comparable in size to the Washington Navel. Naturally seedless, and easy to peel, Cara Cara Red Navel oranges are ideal for eating fresh, juicing, sauces, and cocktails. Fruit is usually ready to harvest in late fall through winter; pick when firm, heavy, glossy, and emitting a sweet citrus aroma.

The flowers are creamy white, borne in clusters, and - like many citrus - are richly fragrant. Cara Cara Navel Orange tree is self fertile, but you can help it set fruit by taking a small brush and moving pollen from flower to flower. The glossy, evergreen foliage reaches up to 10 cm in length and releases a pleasant citrus scent when crushed. As with other Navel oranges, plants may develop slender spines, particularly on new growth. Occasionally, Cara Cara Navel Orange tree produces variegated twigs; when left to grow, these branches can yield fruit with attractively striped rinds.

Grown on hardy, dwarfing Flying Dragon rootstock, the plant is kept under 1.8 m (6 ft) tall, making it well suited to container growing. Grow Cara Cara Red Navel Orange tree in moist, well-drained soil and choose a full-sun location where it can thrive and be admired as a specimen. Containers must be brought indoors before the first frost and overwintered in a bright, sunny location.

A natural mutation of the Navel Orange, Cara Cara was originally discovered in an orange grove in Venezuela. Interestingly, the Navel Orange takes its name from the blossom end of the fruit, which resembles a human navel. When peeled, this end reveals an undeveloped second fruit inside.