Nectarine tree named ‘Pearlicious XVIII’

Abstract

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, Prunus persica , broadly characterized by a large size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms during the mid season and requires about 550 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in late August, with first picking on Aug. 21, 2018. The fruit is uniform, medium in size, sub-acidic and very sweet in flavor, oblate in shape, clingstone in type, firm in texture, white in flesh color, mostly red in skin color, and has a bitter tasting kernel.

We claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantially as illustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Pearlicious XVI’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,828) nectarine by being self-fertile, by requiring about 550 chilling hours, by blooming in the mid season, by having globose leaf glands, by having a bitter kernel, and by producing nectarines that are white in flesh color, that are clingstone in type, that are firm in texture, that are sweet and sub-acidic in flavor, and that ripen in mid August, but is distinguished therefrom by having a larger and more vigorous tree, by having a small instead of large blossom, and by producing nectarines that are somewhat smaller in size, that are a fuller red in skin color, and that are oblate instead of globose to elongated in shape.