North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Kieran &/or Donna" <holycow@frontiernet.net>]

Nagami makes 100% zygotic seeds, Meiwa makes near 100% apomictic.  There is also a "7 degree" kumquat  which I'm pretty sure Lee Sharp has, which I think is a cross.  Seeds can be used to identify many varieties of citrus.   Take some citrus seeds, rub off the slick goo on a paper towel or washcloth, till you can get some purchase with your fingernails.  Peel off the outer woody hull, then scrape off the inner brownish skin.  If there are 2 halves like a peanut, it's zygotic.  If there is more than 1 embryo, it's apomictic.  Occasionally there will be a nice nearly symmetrical set of cotyledons with a little hollow instead of a point where the embryo should be.  that one is also apomictic.  Lemons and pummelos have all zygotic seeds, mandarins mostly do too.  Some say that all other citrus are crosses of these 3 true species.  Limes, oranges, and grapefruit have mostly apomictic seeds.   Donna