Plum tree named ‘PLUMCANDY XVII’

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plum tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a small size, moderately vigorous, hardy, and very productive tree. Being self-unfruitful, the present variety requires cross pollination from an apricot, interspecific, or plum that blooms during the mid season, such as ‘Plumcandy XIII’ plum tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,468). The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described during the last part of September, with first picking on Sep. 29, 2019, and will hang on the tree an additional thirty days. The fruit is uniformly medium to large in size, very dark red in skin color, orange yellow to dark red in flesh color, clingstone in type, slightly oblate in shape, firm in texture, very sweet, and excellent in flavor.

We claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinct variety of plum tree,  Prunus salicina , substantially as illustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Plumred XII’ plum tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,400) by being self-unfruitful, by blooming in the mid to late season, and by producing fruit that is somewhat oblate in shape, mostly red in flesh color, firm in texture, and very sweet in flavor, but is distinguished therefrom by having a smaller size tree and by producing fruit that is somewhat larger in size, darker red in skin color, clingstone instead of semi-freestone in type, and that matures about ten days later.