Cultivar 346: Prairie

Prairie is a plum introduced by the University of Saskatchewan in 1960. Prairie sources treat it as one of the better quality and hardier introductions from that program. [S3] [S4] Sources disagree on its parentage. One index lists it as P. nigra x P. salicina. A University of Saskatchewan introductions sheet gives it as native x P. salicina from mixed open pollinations. Another prairie guide says the parentage is unknown. [S2] [S4] [S1]

The fruit is described as dark red and medium sized. One prairie guide gives measurements of about 4.5 cm. The 1960 introductions list gives it as up to 2 by 1 3/4 inches. [S1] [S4] Saskatchewan fruit characteristics data describe the skin as thick, tough, and slightly astringent, with yellow flesh that is juicy and mellow, a sweet pleasant flavor, and good dessert quality. [S3] Prairie guides also note that it is somewhat freestone. [S1] [S4]

Sources place its season from late August to early September. [S1] [S4] The 1960 introductions list rates the fruit as good quality under Saskatoon field conditions without irrigation. This suggests it was selected for practical prairie performance as much as for appearance. [S4]

On the prairies, Prairie was remembered not just as a named introduction but as a dependable one. A Saskatchewan evaluation called it one of the better quality University of Saskatchewan introductions and one of the hardiest. [S3] That source places it as suitable for Zone 3B and the central part of Zone 4, while noting moderate to severe injury in the north eastern part of Zone 4. [S3] A later Prairie Provinces production guide recommended Prairie in both more favorable and less favorable zones. This supports its reputation as a broadly useful plum in prairie growing districts. [S1]

Prairie belongs to the group of prairie plum introductions shaped by University of Saskatchewan breeding and selection work. [S1] [S4] Its lineage matters because the sources consistently connect it with native plum material and P. salicina, a combination central to the search for larger, better quality fruit that could still endure prairie conditions. [S2] [S4]

Summary source basis

• S1: Tree fruit production for the Prairie Provinces
• S2: An index of fruit cultivars tested or developed on the Canadian prairies.
• S3: hortfacts_1976_3.pdf
• S4: University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960

This summary currently draws chiefly from hortfacts_1976_3.pdf, with 4 additional supporting sources linked below.

Featured source descriptions

“Cultivar introduced by the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.”
— ^[3]

“One of the better quality introductions and also one of the hardiest.”
— ^[5]

“Fruit ripe in late August.”
— ^[3]

“Somewhat freestone.”
— ^[3]

Direct parent cultivars

• No direct linked parent cultivars promoted yet.

Parentage claim text

• P. nigra x P. salicina.
• Included among P. nigra x salicina hybrids.
• Parentage listed as native x Prunus salicina, mixed open pollinations.

Derived or downstream cultivar links

• No derived or downstream lineage links yet.

Source-story quotations

• P58-106 Prairie ... Native x P. salicina. Mixed open pollinations ... 1960 ... Fruit up to 2" x 1 3/4" ... dark red, good quality, somewhat freestone, early September.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p7
• P58-106 Prairie ... Native x P. salicina. Mixed open pollinations ... 1960 ... Fruit up to 2" x 1 3/4" ... dark red, good quality, somewhat freestone, early September.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p7
• P58-106 Prairie ... Native x P. salicina. Mixed open pollinations ... 1960 ... Fruit up to 2" x 1 3/4" ... dark red, good quality, somewhat freestone, early September.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p7
• P58-106 Prairie ... Native x P. salicina. Mixed open pollinations ... 1960 ... Fruit up to 2" x 1 3/4" ... dark red, good quality, somewhat freestone, early September.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p7

Taxonomy context: No family-tree context surfaced yet.

Related cultivars mentioned in source context