Plum tree

#The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of plum tree which is generally similar in tree and fruit to the Laroda Plum Tree (unpatented) variety from which it was obtained by open pollination and which bears fruit which matures at approximately the same time, but which is much darker when ripe, and in which the change to the color of ripeness begins much earlier than in the Laroda variety.

#The Laroda Plum Tree bears large, deep reddish-purple skinned fruit which reaches shipping maturity before it ripens on the tree and which has excellent market acceptance. Since most fruits rely on eye appeal for their sales, it is desirable that they reach final coloration as early as possible to provide a sales advantage similar to that provided by a similar fruit which ripens at an earlier date. The ideal in this respect, of course, would be a fruit which has a pleasing final coloration which is reached comparatively early in its development.

#My new variety of plum tree was discovered as a seedling by me in 1970 as one of 36 open pollinated seedlings from a Laroda (unpatented) plum tree which I grew on a ranch owned by me located at 8743 East Alta Ave. near the City of Reedley, in the County of Fresno, in the State of California. The present variety was asexually reproduced by me by grafting onto several host trees located on a ranch which I farm and of which I own an undivided interest at 7669 South Frankwood Ave., near the City of Reedley, in the County of Fresno, in the State of California. The fruit and tree characteristics resulting from such grafting proved identical to those of the originally selected seedling.

#The accompanying drawing is a color photograph of four mature fruits of the subject variety, with two of the fruits divided on the suture plane to show the flesh color and the stone, together with a representative twig showing characteristic leaves.

#Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of plum tree, the following has been observed under the ecological conditions prevailing in the designated orchard near Reedley, Calif. All major color code plate identifications are by reference to the Nickerson Color Fan of the American Horticultural Council.

#Size: Medium.

#Vigor: Vigorous.