French prune (Punian)

#The present variety of prune ("Punian") was discovered by inventor, on a tree in his orchard planted to regular French prune. The inventor, an orchardist, upon inspection and maintanence of his orchard took particular note of the distinct characteristics of such atypical prune tree and realized that such characteristics would be of significant advantage in a prune tree for commercial production.

#The present new and distinct variety of prune tree is embraced by Plant Patent Sub-Class 38, of the U.S. Patent Office Manual of Classification.

#A number of the present variety of prune trees were asexually reproduced on inventor's behalf by a commercial nursery by grafting on Mariana rootstock. A plot of 12 trees was planted in inventor's orchard in February 1982. The botanical characteristics of the `Punian` variety appear the same as the parent regular French prune. However, asexual reproduction of the `Punian` variety produced early maturing fruit of increased sugar content consistent with the original bud sport.

#One drawing is an illustration, by photographic reproduction, in color of limb with leaves a fruit cut open to show flesh and pit. Another drawing depicts a limb with the tree in bloom and with flower detail.

#Comparable to regular French prune. Slight increased nematode resistance exists due to grafting on the Mariana root stock.

#The prune tree and its fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climatic and soil conditions under which the variety may be grown; the present trees were grown in Sutter County (Sacramento Valley), Calif.