Asian pear tree named ‘Peggy Pear’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Asian pear tree named Peggy Pear characterized particularly by the globose to slightly turbinate shape of its fruit, its russet color at maturity, the thinner texture of the skin of the fruit of the Peggy Pear compared to the skin of the fruit of its parent, the A-Ri-Rang, at maturity and its ripening at about September 20.sup.th in Yakima, Wash., which is about thirty (30) days earlier than the A-Ri-Rang cultivar, and by the pear's hardiness, characterized in that it can be stored at 32 F. through the winter and maintain its quality until about May.

Claims

1. A new and distinct Asian Pear Tree named Peggy Pear as illustrated and described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying photographs depict the color of the tree and foliage of my new cultivar at approximately 5-6 years old as nearly as is reasonably possible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

(2) FIG. 1 is a photograph of a side view of the fruit of the new and distinct cultivar of Asian pear tree Peggy Pear;

(3) FIG. 2 is a photograph of the fruit of Peggy Pear on the tree amid branches and leaves;

(4) FIG. 3 is a photograph of a true sport limb of the new and distinct cultivar of Asian pear tree Peggy Pear;

(5) FIG. 4 is a photograph of a perspective view of a group of ripe fruit, with one of the fruit shown as a longitudinal section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(6) The following is a detailed description of my new cultivar of Asian Pear tree at approximately 5-6 years old with color terminology in accordance with The Royal Horticulture Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart except where the context indicates a term having its ordinary dictionary meaning. My new tree has not been observed under all growing conditions and variations may occur as a result of different growing conditions. All progeny of my new variety of Asian Pear tree, insofar as have been observed, have been identical in all the characteristics described below.

(7) Other than as set forth below, as of this time, no other characteristics of my new Peggy Pear Asian pear tree have been observed by the inventor which are different from the characteristics common to Asian Pear trees. Parentage: A true sport limb of A-Ri-Rang first observed in 2008. Using buds from that limb mutation, additional trees were budded, creating a true sport limb of A-Ri-Rang. Locality where grown and observed: Yakima, Wash. Tree: Size.Average for the species. Vigor.Vigorous and hardy under typical climatic conditions around Yakima, Wash. Tree form.Considered upright to upright spreading. Tree height.When measured at the end of the 2013 growing season, the present variety had a height to about 3.66 to about 4.27 meters. This growth included to about 1.22 to 1.40 meters of the current season's growth. Tree crown.Width Approximately 1.5 meters. Trees of the present variety are growing in an orchard where spacing between the adjacent trees is about 1.83 meters, and the respective rows of trees are approximately 3.66 meters apart. The trees of the present variety are annually pruned into a narrow-upright vase training system. Productivity.Productive. Regularity of bearing.Regular. Trunk diameter.When measured at a distance of approximately 20 centimeters from the ground level the variety has a trunk diameter of approximately 11.4 centimeters. Bark: Surface texture.Moderately cracked and roughened. However, some broad smooth areas are present. Bark color.Considered medium grey (Fan #4, Sheet 197-C). Bark lenticels.Numbers Numerous and appearing roughened on their surfaces. Lenticels. Shape Considered oval. Lenticels.Size Approximately 0.5 to about 1.0 millimeters in width, and from about 1.0 to about 3.0 millimeters in height. Lenticels.Color Dark grey (Fan #4, Sheet 201-A). Branches: Size.Considered normal in diameter for the species. The main scaffold branches of the observed tree range in diameter from about 6 to about 7.6 centimeters when measured at the base of the scaffold. Surface texture.Scaffold branches appear slightly smoother than the trunk surface, but have approximately the same grey color (Fan #4, Sheet 197-C). Lenticels.The lenticels seen on the branches appear to have the same development as that of the trunk, noted above. Upper branches.Size The upper spreader branches range in size from about 5 to about 6.4 centimeters in diameter at their bases, while smaller hanger branches vary in thickness from about 0.79 to about 1.27 centimeters. Surface texture.Older branches Two year old or older branches appear to have a netted surface texture, and further have numerous medium brown colored and calloused lenticels (Fan #4, Sheet 164-C). Older branches.Color Grey-brown in color and nearly glabrous in surface texture (Fan #4, Sheet 201B). One year old shoots and spurs.Color Considered brownish in color (Fan #4, Sheet 165-A) and having a moderately pubescent surface texture. Current season's shoots.Color Dark brown (Fan #4, Sheet 177-A). These current season's shoots have a moderately pubescent surface texture. Actively growing shoots.Color Light green (Fan #3, Sheet 138-A). Actively growing shoots have a highly pubescent surface texture of medium length. The pubescence appears wooly. Expanding shoot tips and young leaves.Color Considered Orange-bronze in coloration (Fan #4, Sheet 172-C). Internode length.When measured on upright vigorous shoots, this ranges from about 4.45 to 5.08 centimeters between adjacent nodes. The length between the nodes as seen on smaller lateral shoots ranges from about 3.49 to about 3.81 centimeters. Leaves: Size.Generally Considered medium to large for the species. The measurements which follow have been taken from leaves growing near mid-shoot on vigorously growing current season's shoots. Leaf length.About 14.6 to about 15.24 centimeters including the leaf petiole. Leaf width.About 7.62 to about 8.255 centimeters. Leaf thickness.Considered normal for the species. Bud length and diameter.Typical and observed Considered normal for this species. Surface texture.Young immature leaves are highly pubescent on both the upper and lower leaf surfaces. As these leaves mature however, much of this pubescence is lost. Mature leaf texture.Very slightly rugose. No glands are evident on the leaf. Leaf form.Generally Considered variable from broadly lanceolate to ovate. Leaf base description.Typical and observed Typical to slightly flared. Leaf apices.Shape Acute and at times curled backward from the upper leaf surface. Most leaves appear somewhat folded upwards. Leaf surface.Texture The leaf surfaces along the mid-vein are at times slightly wavy. Leaf color.Mature leaves The upper leaf surface appears dark green (Fan #3, Sheet 137-A); and the lower surfaces are a lighter green in color (Fan #3, Sheet 138-B). Color.Mid-Vein The primary mid-vein on the lower leaf surface is a pale yellow-green (Fan #3, Sheet 145-C). Leaf margins.Generally Considered serrate and tipped with narrow, soft, sharp spines. Serrations.Size Moderately small. Leaf margins.Shape Slightly undulate. Leaf petiole.Size Considered average and short, and further having a length of about 3.17 to about 3.81 centimeters, and a thickness of about 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters when measured at approximately mid-petiole. Petiole base.Shape Typically considered wider and at times slightly flared, and having a thickness of about 1.5 to about 3.5 millimeters. Petiole.Color Considered yellow-green on younger leaves (Fan #3, Sheet 144-D) and on older leaves (Fan #3, Sheet 145-C). Within the petiole groove and the petiole ridges, the color is increasingly darker (Fan #3, Sheet 138-B). Petiole.Surface texture Lightly pubescent. Immature leaves.Surface texture These leaves appear to have a higher degree of pubescence than mature leaves. No glands are present on the petiole. Leaf stipules.Generally Small, thin, pale green stipules can typically be found on new growth. These leaf stipules are early deciduous. Leaf stipules.Form Considered linearly lanceolate. The leaf stipules darken and deteriorate within increasing senescence. Flowers: Flower buds.Size Generally considered large, plump and conic in form. The buds are considered relatively free from the bearing stem and are considered hardy under Yakima, Wash. climatic conditions. The typical and observed average bud length and diameter are approximately 1.5 cm and 0.813 cm, respectively. Flower buds.Color Reddish-brown (Fan #4, Sheet 175-A). Flower buds.Surface texture Considered pubescent especially apically and over the interior side of the bud scales. Bloom time.Generally Average to slightly early in relative comparison to other common Asian pear tree varieties growing at the same geographic location. Typical and observed bloom season.April 5-14 Considered a normal range in Yakima, Wash., the location where observed. Date of full bloom.Observed at Yakima, Wash. on Apr. 14, 2012 and Apr. 5, 2013. Duration of bloom.The date and duration of bloom can be substantially effected by the amount of chilling hours that occur during a given year, and the geographical location where the variety is grown. Typical and observed flower height and diameter.Considered normal. Flower size.Generally The typical and observed flower diameter when fully opened averages 5 to 5.5 cm. Bloom quantity.Considered abundant. Flowers per node.As many as 8 can be produced. Petal numbers.Typically 5, but extra petals can be observed. As many as 5 extra petals can sometimes be seen. Double petalled flowers (10 petals) can be found on many fruiting branches. Petal form.Considered variable, but most frequently appears ovate. Petal color.White (Fan #4, Sheet 155-D). Petal claw.Shape Short and truncate in form. Petal margins.Shape Undulate. Petal apices.Form Variable and having a somewhat pointed tip. Flower pedicel.Size These are variable from about 21 to about 30 millimeters in length, and from about 1.0 to about 1.5 millimeters in thickness. Flower pedicel.Color Pale green (Fan #3, Sheet 145-C). Flower pedicel.Surface Texture Pubescent, and further having moderately sparse filamentous pubescence. Floral nectaries.Color Yellow-brown (Fan #3, Sheet 153-B). The floral nectaries become darker with increasing senescence. Calyx.Surface Texture Slightly pubescent. Calyx.Color Pale green (Fan #3, Sheet 145-B). Sepals.Surface Texture Pubescent. Sepals.Size Relatively small and broadly lanceolate in form. Sepals.Color Green-yellow (Fan #3, Sheet 145-B). Anthers.Size Considered average for the species. Anthers.Color Considered a pale rose (Fan #1, Sheet 51-B). This color appears both ventrally and dorsally. Pollen production.Considered abundant in quantity. Pollen.Color Yellow (Fan #1, Sheet 5-A). Stamens.Color White (Fan #4, Sheet 155-D). Pistil.Form The pistil of the present variety has five styles separated to the ovary. Pistil.Length Somewhat variable from about 6 to 7 millimeters. Pistil.Surface Texture Glabrous. Pistil.Color Yellow-green (Fan #1, Sheet 1-D). Fruit: Maturity when described.The fruit of the present cultivar of Asian pear tree Peggy Pear is described at full commercial maturity hereinafter. Date of harvest.In 2013, the date of harvest was September 16. The date of harvest in 2012 was October 4. The date of harvesting is about thirty (30) days earlier than the A-Ri-Rang variety. The date of harvest may be effected by seasonal variations. The date of harvesting, noted above, are those that were observed at Yakima, Wash. Fruit production.Per season per tree: when appropriately thinned, the typical and observed average amount of fruit produced per season per tree is about 200 to 250 lbs. Fruit size.Generally Considered medium to large in size especially for the early date of maturity. For fruit harvested from well thinned trees, the fruit diameter was about 82.55 to about 88.9 millimeters; the fruit had a height of about 82.55 to about 88.9 millimeters, and an average typical and observed individual fruit weight of 9 to 12 oz. Fruit form.Generally Slightly variable from nearly globose to slightly turbinate pome when viewed in its lateral aspect. The fruit is most frequently globose or very slightly oval when viewed in transverse section. Fruit symmetry.Somewhat variable, from fully symmetrical to slightly asymmetrical or considered lopsided. Fruit stem.Size The fruit stem has a length dimension of about 34.98 to about 38.1 millimeters; and a thickness dimension of about 3.8 to about 4.7 millimeters. Fruit stem.Shape Typically, considered slightly curved. Fruit stem.Color Light green (Fan #3, Sheet 144-B). Fruit stem.Surface Texture Moderately pubescent. Fruit lenticels.Color Light tan and being slightly raised and oval in form on the fruit stem surface (Fan #4, Sheet 161-A). Stem cavity.Shape Considered uniform and acute. Stem cavity.Size Considered moderate. The width of the stem cavity ranges from about 23 to about 28 millimeters when measured across the shoulders of the fruit. The depth of the stem cavity is variable from about 6 to about 9 millimeters. Fruit basin.Shape Globose in form; relatively wide; and of average depth. The fruit basin sides are sloping and have what appears to be a smooth surface. Some russetting is present within the basin where the sepals were attached to the fruit. The sepals are considered deciduous. Calyx.Form The calyx opening is closed. Still further, the calyx tube is considered long and funnel shaped. Additionally, stamen remnants are often present in the calyx tube and are typically located in a marginal position. Core lines.Generally These are distinct and clasping. Fruit core.Position Distant and considered relatively far from the fruit stem. Fruit core.Size 82.55 to about 88.9 millimeters. Fruit carpels.Generally Five carpels are present and are located within the fruit core. The number of seeds per carpel (locule) and the average fruit carpel length and width is considered to be typical for this species. Fruit carpels.Shape Obovate. Fruit carpel cells.Form Generally speaking, these are closed in form although at times some open cells can be present. Fruit carpels.Surface Texture The inner surface of the carpel wall is considered glabrous. Seeds.Numbers Variable from 2 to as many as 10 per locule. Seeds.Size Considered plump, and having a length of about 7.94 to about 9.53 millimeters; and a width from about 3.18 to about 4.76 millimeters. Seeds.(Typical and observed) The shape of the seeds, both typical and observed, is considered to be normal for this species. Seeds.Thickness About 3.18 millimeters. Seed apex.Form Acute. Seed shape.Typical of this species. Seeds.Color Dark Brown at full maturity (Fan #4, Sheet 175-A). The seeds color at full commercial maturity is a lighter tan-brown color (Fan #4, Sheet 164-B). Fruit skin.Thickness Considered average. Fruit skin.Surface texture Glabrous. The skin appears to tightly adhere to the underlying fruit flesh. Fruit skin.Flavor Considered mild to neutral. Fruit skin.Color Predominately yellow-green (Fan #3, Sheet 151-C), and occasionally, having light green lenticles (Fan #3, Sheet 1-D), which typically appears at an early stage of maturity. With advancing senescence, and at full commercial maturity, the fruit becomes a full substantially grayed-orange. or russet (Fan #4, Sheet 163-A) with light greyed-orange lenticles (Fan 4, sheet 163-C). Fruit skin.Lenticels Present. These are small and relatively inconspicuous. Fruit skin lenticel color.Very pale yellow (Fan #1, Sheet 1-D). Bloom.Present, and considered very thin and transparent. The bloom extends substantially over the entire skin surface. Fruit flesh.Color White with a very slight cream-yellow tint (Fan #1, Sheet 11-D). Fruit flesh.Texture Crisp and considered very juicy. Stone cells.Generally Present, and average in number. The stone cells are located in the vicinity of the core area. Ripening.Considered even. The fruit holds well on the tree. Fruit flavor.Considered sweet, refreshing and mild, with a brix typical of this species and having a very good commercial quality. Aroma.Considered pleasant, and slight. Resistance to insects and diseases.No particular susceptibility where noted. The present variety has not been intentionally tested to expose or detect any susceptibilities or resistance to any known plant and/or other fruit tree diseases.