Plum tree named ‘BLACKRED XVI’

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plum tree, Prunus salicina , and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, and 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 ‘Blackred V’ interspecific tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,576). The present variety produces a medium density of flowers that produce a heavy amount of pollen to entice good bee activity to facilitate pollination. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described during early July, with first picking on Jul. 1, 2021. The fruit is uniformly medium in size, almost black in skin color, very dark red in flesh color, semi-freestone in type, globose to ovate in shape, extremely firm in texture, juicy, very sweet, and excellent in flavor. Also, the fruit is very heat tolerant and can hang firm on the tree for over 3 weeks.

We claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinct variety of plum tree,  Prunus salicina , substantially as illustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Blackred V’ interspecific tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,576), by being self-unfruitful and by producing fruit that ripens in early July and that is fairly globose in shape, nearly black in skin color, medium in size, juicy, and excellent in flavor, but is distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that can hang firm longer on the tree, that is more heat tolerant, and that is darker red in flesh color, somewhat sweeter with less acidity in taste, and semi-freestone instead of clingstone in type.