Plum tree, "Royal Star"

#The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of plum tree, hereinafter denominated varietally as "Royal Star", and more particularly to a plum tree which is somewhat broadly similar to the commercial plum variety "Angeleno" (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,747) in its exterior blue color and similar late date of maturity ripening in the last week of August to the first week of September, but from which it is distinguished in its ovate fruit shape, pink to red flesh color, tight cling type stone and above average fruit quality.

#The development of commercially successful varieties of fruit bearing trees entails rigorous and extensive test procedures, careful nurturing and meticulous observation over many years. Frequently many hundreds or thousands of seedlings must be observed and the observations recorded over lengthy periods of time before even one new variety can be developed which is worthy of reproduction on a commercial scale. In other instances, the keen powers of observation of a skilled plant breeder will locate, for example, a chance seedling which possesses those attributes warranting development. Such serendipitous discoveries are rare and yet have played a significant role in the development of present commercial varieties.

#The plum tree of the present invention is an open-pollinated chance seedling of unknown parentage which was discovered within a cultivated area of the applicant's property at 12199 South Zediker Avenue in Kingsburg, Calif.

#The accompanying drawing is a color photograph of a characteristic twig bearing leaves typical of the new variety, several mature fruit showing their external coloration sufficiently matured for harvesting and shipment, one fruit of the subject variety dissected in the suture plane and parted to display on one half the stone in the stone cavity and the stone cavity on the other half.

#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 orchard of the inventor located in Kingsburg, Calif. All major color code designations are by reference to the Dictionary of Color by Maerz and Paul, Second Edition, published in 1950. Common color designations are also employed in some instances.

#Generally:

#Size.--Average.