This is the world’s most popular prune, and dominates production in California. It produces a large, dark purple and very sweet succulent plum that dries readily into the famous prune of California. Introduced from Ente, France by Gillet in 1882. Fruit is medium-sized, egg shaped, dark red-to-purplish with rich, sweet dark amber flesh. One of the highest yielding prunes, it dries with an average 3:1 drying ratio. The tree is vigorous with an upright growth habit. This variety is moderately self fertile, it is known to increase productivity when planted with a pollenizer such as the Imperial or Robe de Sargeant. Fruit ripens in mid-August to late September depending on elevation.

Our mother tree is located in Humbug, the famous mining camp now known as Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, at 3250’ on the San Juan Ridge of Nevada County. While it is difficult to estimate the age, they are planted next to a house from the late 1800s. I have observed these trees for more than 30 years, and they have produced an excellent crop in seven out of 10 years, at a very challenging climatic site. The main problem for these trees are the bears, who relish the fruit and break the limbs nearly every summer! A truly wonderful variety, suited for all uses.