• Texas' oranges are grown commercially in the south Rio Grande Valley.Martin Harvey/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  The edible orange (Citrus sinensis) comes in three major forms: round, navel and blood. Orange trees are tropical plants, which means they require a warm, freeze-free location to grow. The lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas is that environment, and that's where you'll find the state's orange crops. Texas encompasses U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones from 6 though 9, and, if you're willing to put in some effort to protect your tree from freezing, you may be able to grow oranges in coastal regions.
  
  

Round Oranges

• Round oranges.two oranges. oranges. healthy food. fruit image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
  
  Round oranges have thicker peels than other sweet orange variants. One round orange variant grown in Texas is Parson Brown, which originated in Florida in the late 19th century. In Southern Texas, the fruit matures in early September and is around 2-1/2 inches in diameter with 10 to 20 seeds. Pineapple orange is another Florida orange from the 1860s. This tree grows a juicy, medium-sized fruit with up to 25 seeds. In Southern Texas, this fruit is ready in late November.
  
  

Navel Oranges

• A navel orange.navel orange image by robert lerich from Fotolia.com
  
  This fruit consists of an inner fruit and an outer fruit, with a distinctive "bump" or navel. Navel oranges are easy to peel and eat. According to the University of Texas Extension, N33E is a navel orange variant grown commercially in Southern Texas. The seedless orange has a sweet juice and was developed in Texas in the 1960s. Other navel orange varieties include Everhard and Atwood.
  
  

Blood Oranges

• Blood oranges.whole and cut up blood oranges on white plate image by David Smith from Fotolia.com
  
  While blood oranges do grow in South Texas, the distinctive red pigment that gives them their color doesn't usually develop as much as in other areas. Three varieties that grow are Ruby, Moro and Sanguinelli. These fruit have few or no seeds and may appear less intensely red or even just be streaked with red. Ruby and Moro are midseason fruit, while Sanguinelli is late season.