A new and distinct variety of plum tree of a red fleshed, cling stone fruit variety, attractive in appearance and maturing in the mid-season period.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY 
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of plum tree, 
which I refer to as Sweet Gypsy, of a red fleshed, cling stone fruit, 
attractive in appearance maturing in the mid-season period, which was 
developed from a continued fruit breeding program. 
ORIGIN AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE NEW VARIETY 
This novel plum variety was derived from an ongoing fruit breeding program 
dedicated to the improvement of plums to enhance consumer quality and 
market acceptability. Propagation was effected by taking the seed from the 
Mariposa variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 111) which was stratified and grown 
to a height of about 18 inches. These seedlings were then bud grafted into 
dehorned orchard trees in the experimental orchard of Ito Packing Co., 
Inc., Reedley, Calif., for testing and selection. Each clone was budded 
into several limbs to make sure that it propagated true to type. 
SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY 
The instant variety, developed through the above method, was selected 
because of its excellent eating quality, which is similar to that of its 
parent, or the Oriental Satsuma type. However, the novel plum of the 
present invention ripens about one week ahead of its parent and is much 
more attractive in appearance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
The following is a detailed description of my new plum variety with color 
reference being to the Maerz and Paul Dictionary of Colors, except in 
instances where terminology having generally accepted meaning is employed. 
Parentage: Open pollenated seedling of the variety Mariposa. 
Propagation: Maintains its distinguishing characteristics through several 
bud grafts. 
Locality where grown and observed: Near Reedley, Calif. County of Fresno, 
Calif. 
TREE 
Size: Large, spreading, open. 
Vigor: Vigorous, productive. 
Regularity of bearing: Regular bearer. 
Trunk: Medium size; medium texture. 
Branches: Spreading, average in length and stockiness. 
Leaves: 
Color.--Top side, 32C11; underside, 31H9. 
Size.--Average length of 27/8 inches; average width of 7/8 inch; medium 
thickness. 
Shape.--Oval to obovate. 
Marginal form.--Finely serrate. 
Glandular characteristics.--Wanting on many leaves but frequently one small 
globose gland on either side of the leaf blade near the petiole 
attachment. 
Petiole.--Slightly longer than most other varieties of the P. salicina 
species. 
Stipules.--Often wanting, but may be present on young growth. 
Flower bud: Medium, white. 
Flower: Medium size, white. 
Anthers.--Yellow. 
Time of full bloom: With variety Santa Rosa. 
FRUIT 
Maturity: When described, firm ripe, June 15, 1986; June 28, 1987. 
Date of first picking: June 28, 1987. 
Date of last picking: July 10, 1987. 
Size: Average axial length, 17/8 inches; average transverse width in suture 
plane, 21/8 inches. 
Form: Essentially round but slightly compressed at the base. Characteristic 
rounded protrusion in the area around the apex. 
Suture.--Smooth with very little depression. 
Ventral surface.--Round. 
Cavity.--Round, shallow. 
Base.--Flatted slightly. 
Apex.--Smooth although may be slightly recessed in some fruit. 
Axial diameter.--21/4". 
Transverse diameter.--21/2". 
Skin: 
Thickness.--Medium thick, medium texture. 
Tendency to crack.--None observed. 
Bloom.--Light. 
Color.--Reddish purple (7A6), darkening to 55J11 as the fruit matures and 
deepening to 55L11 in the final stages of maturity. Characteristic dots 
occur sparsely over most of the surface. 
Flesh: 
Texture.--Firm, juicy. 
Color.--Red (4L2) in general but lighter around the pit (4J3) tending to be 
a cream color with red cast in some small areas. As the fruit becomes soft 
ripe the red color deepens to a dark red (55L12). 
Juice.--Abundant. 
Flavor.--Very sweet with pleasant acid balance. 
Aroma.--Quite pronounced. 
Fibers.--Few. 
Ripening.--Evenly. 
Eating quality.--Excellent. 
Stone: 
Adherence to flesh.--Generally clinging but separates from the fruit around 
portions of the pit in some fruits. 
Size.--Average thickness, 1/4 inch; average width, 5/8 inch; average 
length, 3/4 inch. 
Form.--Oval. 
Hilum.--Small, oval. 
Dorsal edge.--Shallow groove, interrupted irregularly. 
Ventral edge.--Wing continuous from near base to about 1/4 inch from the 
apex. 
Surface.--Irregularly pitted. 
Color.--Brown. 
Use: Market, juice. 
Keeping quality: Excellent. 
Shipping quality: Excellent. 
Resistance to disease: Although this novel variety of plum tree possesses 
the described characteristics as a result of the growing conditions in 
Fresno County, Calif. in the central portion of the San Joaquin Valley, it 
is to be understood that variations of the usual magnitude in 
characteristics incident to growing condition, fertilization pruning and 
pest control are to be expected.