Abstract:
A new distinct variety of tangerine characterized by producing a small to medium size fruit that is mature for harvesting and shipping in mid October about nine to ten days earlier than Clementine mandarin and with good flavor.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/347,901 filed on Dec. 31, 2008, which is incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety. 
       PARGA NO. 2  
     MANDARIN TANGERINE TREE 
       [0002]    ( Citrus Reticulata  Blanco) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY 
       [0003]    In the fall of 2007, the inventor observed a single tree of Clementine mandarin ( Citrus Reticulata  Blanco) that was fully colored and mature nine to ten days earlier than the other Clementine mandarin trees in a 40-acre orchard in an area just south of the City of Fresno, Calif., in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. This single tree on C-35/Citrange rootstock,  Ponicrus Trifoliate×Citrus Sinensis,  produced a heavy crop in the fourth year (2008) with the fruit varying in size from small to medium, yellow or orange color when fully ripe with sugar content of 11% at maturity, Oct. 14-18, 2008, with a pleasant flavor. 
       ORIGIN AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE NEW VARIETY 
       [0004]    The new variety of  Citrus Reticulata  Blanco is a bud sport of Clementine mandarin. The sport of Clementine mandarin was observed in 2007 because of its continuing earlier maturity and harvest than the original Clementine mandarin while maintaining its distinguishing characteristics. 
       SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY 
       [0005]    The Parga No. 2 is characterized by producing a small to medium yellow-orange fruit with a pleasant flavor and good productive capacity that matures for harvesting and shipment October 14-16 in the Fresno area of the San Joaquin Valley. This variety can be compared to Clementine mandarin but matures nine to ten days earlier. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a color photograph of the new variety displaying a fruit attached to a twig and several leaves across the top and to the left followed on the right by a young branch with leaves attached displaying upper and lower surfaces. 
       
    
    
       [0007]    Directly below is a cluster of three fruits attached to a young branch with several leaves. 
         [0008]    To the right is a side view of a fruit attached to a young branch and leaves. 
         [0009]    Across the lower part of the photograph are two rows of fruit. On the upper row and to the left is a side view of fruit and stem attached, and to the right a smaller fruit. Then to the right is a fruit cut in half along center displaying the flesh followed by a bottom view of the fruit on the right. 
         [0010]    On the bottom row is a side or lateral view of fruit followed by two halves displaying the segments of the flesh of the fruit. Finally, on the right is a fruit displaying the top view. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    Referring more to the horticultural description of the new and distinct variety of Mandarin tangerine, the following description has been observed under the ecological conditions prevailing at the origin orchard which is located near the City of Fresno in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. All major color descriptions are by reference to the Dictionary of Color by Maerz &amp; Paul, First Edition, published in 1930. Common colors are also employed.
   Tree: The new variety of the present application is generally medium in size.
             Height.— 8-10 feet (244-304 cm).     Width.— 8 feet (244 cm).     Vigor.— very good.     Figure.— upright with a spreading shape.     Productivity.— very good.     Regularity of bearing.— regular.       
       Trunk:
             Size.— 13 inch (33.02 cm) circumference, 8 inches (20.32 cm) above ground level, 4 inches (10.16 cm) above graft.     Color .— Mauve Taupe Copra (7-C-8).     Surface texture.— slightly rough.       
       Branches:
             Size.— Medium, 3-4 inches (7.62-10.16 cm) in circumference at approximately 4 years.     Bark surface texture.— Smooth.     Bark color.— Mature: Mt. Vernon Green (23-J-8) Immature (less than one year): Cossack green (23-J-11).       
       Leaves:
             Size.— large for Mandarin group.     Length.— 4.33-4.72 inches (11.00-12.00 cm).     Width.— 1.46-1.89 inches (3.71-4.80 cm).     Shape.— elliptic to oblong.     Color.— Upper surface: Evergreen (24-E-12) Lower surface: Art gr. (22-L-7).     Petiole.— 0.39 inch (0.99 cm) Petiole color: Cypress Green+Forest Green (23-L-6).     Marginal form.— slightly serrated.     Leaf vein color.— Cosse Gr. (19-L-5).     Margin.— Entire Size: 0.24 inch (0.61 cm).     Numbers.— Many.     Surface texture.— smooth.     Thickness.— 0.08 inch (2 mm).     Stem glands.— none.       
       Flowers:
             Flower buds.— Size: small, 0-2.00 inches, (0-5.08 cm) Shape: conic Surface texture: nearly smooth Flowers generally showy.     Date of first bloom.— April 25.     Date of full bloom.— May 7.     Flowers.— Size: 0.79-0.91 inches (2.0-2.3 cm) Petals: 4-5 Petal Color: White (1-A-1) Petal Length: 0.16-0.20 inch (0.41 -0 .51 cm) Petal Width: 0.08-0.11 inches (0.20-0.28 cm).     Pedicel.— Size: 0.14-0.20 inch (0.36-0.51 cm) Color: Popcorn (9-J-3).     Number of sepals.— 4-5 Color: Endive (17-L-3).     Stamens.— 13-14.     Filament color.— White (1-A-1).     Anthers.— Small Color: Cavalry, Deep Chrome Y (9-L-7).     Pistil length.— 0.28-0.31 inch (0.71-0.79 cm) Color: Apricot Y. (9-K-5).     Fragrance.— mild.     Pollen color.— yellow (1-A-10).       
       Fruit:
             Date of maturity.— mid October.     Size.— small Average height: 1.75 inch (4.45 cm) Average width: 1.74 inch (4.42 cm) Average weight: 3.91 ounces (110.85 grams).     Size.— medium Average height: 2.43 inches (6.17 cm) Average width: 2.52 inches (6.40 cm) Average weight: 4 ounces (113.40 grams).     Form.— globose to oblong.     Stem.— Length: 0.20 inch (0.51 cm) Length: 0.19-0.20 inch (0.48-0.51 cm) Color: Eden Gr (20-L-9).     Rind.— Color: Cadmium Y (9-L-8) Thickness: average 0.08-0.16 inch (0.20-0.41 cm) Surface: slightly pebbled to rugose.     Segments.— Flesh is 12-14 regularly separated segments Vesicles: globose to obovoid Flesh Color: Golden glow (9-L-6) Skin: tender Pulp Color: uniform Calvary Deep Chrome Y P  (9-L-7).     Juice.— Quantity: moderate Color: Empire Y. (9-K-3) Sugar: 11% Sugar Acid Ratio: 12.0.     Seeds.— Seedless.     Tree storage.— fruit hangs well on the tree.     Use.— Fresh market.     Keeping quality.— Excellent.     Shipping quality.— Excellent.       
       Resistance to disease: no disease observed. The above description of a new variety of Clementine mandarin is based on growing conditions in the Central San Joaquin Valley of California. Variations of the usual magnitude such as differences in maturity dates and production may be due to cultural activities such as irrigation, fertilization, pruning and climatic change.