Plum-apricot hybrid tree (Red Velvet Plum-Cot)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plum-apricot hybrid tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size, vigorous, and hardy tree bearing very unique fruit. The fruit is similar to an apricot in outward appearance by having a typical apricot shape and skin pubescence, but differs from typical apricots by having a very dark purple skin color over its entire surface when mature. The fruit has a novel blend of both plum and apricot flavor, being acidic with an increasing amount of sugar with maturity. The fruit is of uniform large size, firm enough for shipping, and matures under the ecological conditions described approximately the last week in May, with first picking on May 20, 1988, making it an early ripening fruit compared with both plums and apricots. The variety was developed as the result of a seedling of an unknown plum as the seed parent and an unknown apricot as the per-chance pollen parent. Subsequent to origination of the present variety of plum-apricot hybrid tree, we asexually reproduced it by budding and grafting, and such reproduction of plant and fruit characteristics were true to the original plant in all respects.

We claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinct plum-apricot hybrid variety of fruit tree substantially as illustrated and described, whose fruit is similar to an apricot in outward appearance by having typical apricot shape and skin pubescence, but differs from typical apricots by having a very dark purple skin color over its entire surface at maturity, its fruit also has a novel blend of both plum and apricot flavor, being acidic with an increasing amount of sugar with maturity, is early ripening, maturing 5 days before the Red Beaut Plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539), and is firm enough for shipping, therefore offering a very early and unique product not presently seen on typical supermarket shelves in America.