Cultivar 353: Eclipse

Eclipse is a University of Saskatchewan plum introduced in 1960. It is described as a native plum x Prunus salicina hybrid, and more specifically indexed as P. nigra x P. salicina. [S1] [S3] It belongs to the prairie red hybrid plum group, which aimed to combine native hardiness with the larger, higher quality fruit of Japanese plum blood. [S1] [S3]

The introduction record gives Eclipse the selection number P55-30 and notes mixed open pollinations behind the cross. [S3] This makes the broad cross clear, but leaves the exact pollen parent unresolved. [S3] Later Saskatchewan extension writing grouped Eclipse with other University of Saskatchewan plum introductions and judged it inferior to better introductions because it lacked size. [S2]

At introduction, the fruit was described as uniformly dark red and up to about 1 1/4 by 1 inch under non irrigated Saskatoon field conditions, with rich aromatic flesh and very good quality. [S3] The prairie cultivar index also lists it as a small plum for fresh use, with dark red skin and late maturity. [S1] Together, the sources describe a small dark red plum with quality better than its size might suggest. [S1] [S3]

The season appears to be around early September, with the index placing it late in the plum season. [S1] [S3] Fresh eating is the only use stated directly in the index. [S1]

Its prairie importance is mainly historical. Eclipse shows the University of Saskatchewan program working in the native x Japanese plum hybrid group and selecting for quality and adaptation under prairie conditions, even when later introductions with larger fruit overshadowed it. [S2] [S3]

Hardiness is not stated directly in the cited records. Eclipse was bred and described at Saskatoon and appears in a prairie cultivar index, but the sources here do not give a zone rating or a clear statement about winter survival. [S1] [S3]

Summary source basis

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

This summary currently draws chiefly from An index of fruit cultivars tested or developed on the Canadian prairies., with 2 additional supporting sources linked below.

Featured source descriptions

“Deemed inferior to other introductions because of lack of size.”
— ^[3]

“Fruit diameter 2.0; maturity late.”
— ^[2]

Direct parent cultivars

• No direct linked parent cultivars promoted yet.

Parentage claim text

• Origin listed as P. nigra x P. salicina.
• Parentage listed as Native x P. salicina; mixed open pollinations.

Derived or downstream cultivar links

• No derived or downstream lineage links yet.

Source-story quotations

• P55-30 (P54-30) (P4-55) Eclipse Native x P. salicina Mixed open pollinations 1960 Fruit up to 1 1/4" x 1" ... uniformly dark red; flesh, rich, aromatic, very good quality, season is early September.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p8
• P55-30 (P54-30) (P4-55) Eclipse Native x P. salicina Mixed open pollinations 1960 Fruit up to 1 1/4" x 1" ... uniformly dark red; flesh, rich, aromatic, very good quality, season is early September.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p8
• P55-30 (P54-30) (P4-55) Eclipse Native x P. salicina Mixed open pollinations 1960 Fruit up to 1 1/4" x 1" ... uniformly dark red; flesh, rich, aromatic, very good quality, season is early September.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p8
• P55-30 (P54-30) (P4-55) Eclipse Native x P. salicina Mixed open pollinations 1960 Fruit up to 1 1/4" x 1" ... uniformly dark red; flesh, rich, aromatic, very good quality, season is early September.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p8

Taxonomy context: No family-tree context surfaced yet.

Related cultivars mentioned in source context