Cultivar 394: Compass

Taxon ID:

Usage Facet: class=edible; edible_score=1.0; ornamental_score=0.0; inferred_from_taxon=no

Relationships: 5 | Linked Entities (visible): 5 | Evidence claims: 82 | History events: 0 | Catalog issue offerings: 0

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Evidence Badge: supported | claims=82 | sources=5 | contradictions=0

Claim Types: description_snippet:20, recommendation_context:15, taxon_context:5, release_year_reference:4, flavor_profile:3, productivity:3, selection_origin_reference:3, storage_duration:3, anecdote_snippet:2, culinary_use:2, fruit_color:2, fruit_size:2, source_reference_abbreviation:2, breeder_reference:1, growth_habit:1 | Open evidence summary JSON | Open citation drawer JSON

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Compass is an early sand cherry plum hybrid. It was long sold as the Compass cherry, though several early pomologists argued it is better understood as a small, extra early plum than a true cherry. H. Knudson of Springfield, Minnesota, originated it from a sand cherry parent collected near Bismarck, North Dakota, crossed with a plum usually identified in early sources as Miner. Sources place the cross in spring 1891, the seedling's first fruiting in 1894, and its introduction in 1896. Later writers still listed it as Prunus besseyi × P. hortulana or as Sand cherry × Miner plum. [S5] [S6] [S4] [S9]

Compass was important because it was treated as one of the first named fruits from this hardy sand cherry plum line. Some sources called it the first introduced seedling of that parentage on record. South Dakota writers saw it as more than a novelty and called it a forerunner of a new race of fruits for the northern plains. It was widely trialed, placed on Minnesota and South Dakota horticultural society lists, and later remained in the nursery trade as a standard pollinizer for related Hansen hybrids such as Sapa and Oka. [S5] [S6] [S7] [S8] [S12]

The fruit is consistently described as small and plum like, about 1 inch by 7/8 inch, roundish oval to slightly flattened, with dark red to dark brownish red glossy skin and some blue bloom over yellow to yellowish flesh. Contemporary descriptions call it very juicy and tender, with a pleasant, sprightly flavor that mixes sand cherry and plum. Prairie index material describes it as small to medium, dark purplish red outside, yellow fleshed, and mainly suited to processing. [S6] [S5] [S4]

Compass was valued more for earliness and home use than for shipping. South Dakota descriptions give a ripening period around August 18 to 23, while a prairie orchard bulletin places the season in the first half of September and the prairie index calls it late. Season reports vary by source and region. It was praised for fresh eating, jelly, canning, and other processing, but it keeps only a short time after picking. A. Norby judged it attractive and fair in quality, but of little market value because larger and better plums were available. [S6] [S9] [S4] [S12]

The plant was described as vigorous, upright, and productive, with long, slender branches that benefit from early trimming. Another prairie source called it vase shaped and productive. Early reports say it bears young and abundantly, and South Dakota bulletins emphasized its heavy crops. The same sources also note weaknesses. Norby reported susceptibility to spur blight and rot, and one very wet 1903 season brought severe fruit rot on the tree. [S6] [S9]

Cold climate value is central to Compass's history. It was recommended for trial in Minnesota, praised for home gardens in Minnesota and South Dakota, listed among plums and hybrids for prairie orchards, and later sold by northern nurseries as a very hardy tree that could thrive in nearly any location and serve as one of the best pollinizers for hardy cherry plum hybrids. That nursery role became one of its lasting practical uses, especially with Sapa and Oka. [S6] [S9] [S12]

Its parentage is the main unresolved point. Early and repeated sources state Sand cherry × Miner plum, and later reference works normalize this as P. besseyi × P. hortulana. But South Dakota breeders who fruited hundreds of Compass seedlings argued that the offspring reverted toward sand cherry or native plum and showed no sign of Miner or Morello cherry influence. They suspected that a native Minnesota plum, not Miner, was the true pollen parent. Sources disagree on that point, and the older Sand cherry × Miner formula remained the standard published identity. [S5] [S6] [S4]

Summary source basis

This summary currently draws chiefly from Minnesota #1695, with 9 additional supporting sources linked below.

Featured source descriptions

“Collection location is HRC.”
[2]
“Table values indicate initial height 15.8 cm, initial stem diameter 1.68 mm, change in stem diameter 1.73 mm, and ΔTCA 7.42 mm².”
[2]
“Plum 'Compass' has 25% non-scarified and 45.8% scarified germination with mean weeks 2.5 and 1.9.”
[2]
“Represented by a single replication in the Experiment III context summarized on this page.”
[2]

Parentage

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Taxonomy context: Genus: Prunus | open genus tree

Related cultivars mentioned in source context

Continued ... 'Compass' 20.8 cd 29.2 abc

Cold Hardiness

Zone assertions are structured rows. Hardiness claim text appears in evidence claims and page-linked citations.

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Citation Drawer (Top Supporting Sources)

DocumentTitle/URLRightsClaimsRelationshipsHistory EventsPagesSnippets
17Plums in South Dakotaunknown3400p14 p15A. Norby stated that as a market fruit it possessed little or no value because earlier, larger, and more desirable plums were available.; A. Norby considered it attractive and of fair quality, but quite subject to spur b
7Minnesota #1695unknown2600p50 p71 p83 p86 p88 p91 p93 p95Grouping letters in the same row are A-D, A-C, A, AB, A-E, AB, A-E, A-F, A-D, and A-D by month.; Compass is represented in Table 2 as 91%, 92%, 94%, 96%, 94%, 90%, 86%, 84%, 91%, and 91% for 0 through 9 months.; Source c
112Pollination Studies with Stone Fruitsunknown1250p4 p7 p9Listed in row 8 of the cherry-plum orchard arrangement together with Convoy.; Included in the smaller home or commercial planting group in Table 14.; Included in the selected 11 commonly grown cherry-plum varieties used
105Hardy fruits for Northern planting, trees, shrubs, 1937unknown700p3 p9Recommended planting ratio is at least 1 Compass to 8 or 10 Sapa or Oka in large plantings.; Described as indispensable as a pollinizer for Sapa and Oka.; An early fruiter, bearing the second year.; Fruit is especially g
103PERENNIALS - The Northwest Nursery Co.unknown300p10 p18Compass Cherry is referenced as another offspring of the Sand Cherry.; Included among new varieties of hardy fruits brought forward for the Northwest.; Identified as a cherry.

Citation Evidence (Page-Linked Quotes)

DocumentPageClaim TypeClaimQuoteMatch
105p9recommendation_contextRecommended planting ratio is at least 1 Compass to 8 or 10 Sapa or Oka in large plantings.Compass has proven to be the most satisfactory pollinizer for Sapa and Oka Cherries.page_block:0.90
105p9recommendation_contextDescribed as indispensable as a pollinizer for Sapa and Oka.Compass has proven to be the most satisfactory pollinizer for Sapa and Oka Cherries.page_block:0.90
105p9productivityAn early fruiter, bearing the second year.Compass has proven to be the most satisfactory pollinizer for Sapa and Oka Cherries.page_block:0.90
105p9culinary_useFruit is especially good for jams, jellies, and canning.Compass has proven to be the most satisfactory pollinizer for Sapa and Oka Cherries.page_block:0.90
105p9entry_hardiness_observationAvery hardy tree that thrives in nearly any sort of location.Compass has proven to be the most satisfactory pollinizer for Sapa and Oka Cherries.page_block:0.90
105p9recommendation_contextPresented as the most satisfactory pollinizer for Sapa and Oka cherries.Compass has proven to be the most satisfactory pollinizer for Sapa and Oka Cherries.page_block:0.90
105p3recommendation_contextIncluded in the 12-tree Model Home Orchard assortment with 1 tree.1 Compass Cherrypage_block:0.90
103p18taxon_contextCompass Cherry is referenced as another offspring of the Sand Cherry.This is also the mother of the Compass Cherry.page_block:0.90
103p10recommendation_contextIncluded among new varieties of hardy fruits brought forward for the Northwest.Other growers have brought forward many new varieties of hardy fruits—apples, crabs, plums, the Compass cherrypage_block:0.90
103p10taxon_contextIdentified as a cherry.Other growers have brought forward many new varieties of hardy fruits—apples, crabs, plums, the Compass cherrypage_block:0.90
7p122description_snippetGrouping letters in the same row are A-D, A-C, A, AB, A-E, AB, A-E, A-F, A-D, and A-Dby month.'Compass' 91% A-D 92% A-C 94% A 96% AB 94% A-E 90% AB 86% A-E 84% A-F 91% A-D 91% A-Dpage_block:0.90
7p122storage_durationCompass is represented in Table 2 as 91%, 92%, 94%, 96%, 94%, 90%, 86%, 84%, 91%, and 91% for 0 through 9 months.'Compass' 91% A-D 92% A-C 94% A 96% AB 94% A-E 90% AB 86% A-E 84% A-F 91% A-D 91% A-Dpage_block:0.90
7p118source_reference_abbreviationSource citation given as Waugh, 1899.P. besseyi x P. hortulana L. 'Compass' 1896 Week 18 Waugh, 1899page_block:0.90
7p118release_year_referenceIntroduction year listed as 1896.P. besseyi x P. hortulana L. 'Compass' 1896 Week 18 Waugh, 1899page_block:0.90
7p118entry_pedigreeCultivar Compass is derived from P. besseyi × P. hortulana (both indicated as L. in the row).P. besseyi x P. hortulana L. 'Compass' 1896 Week 18 Waugh, 1899page_block:0.90
7p109recommendation_contextSustained stainability supports potential use in breeding crosses.'Compass' has been around for more than a century, % stainability was >50% throughout this experiment.page_block:0.90
7p109entry_hardiness_observationMaintained >50% pollen stainability across the reported experiment.'Compass' has been around for more than a century, % stainability was >50% throughout this experiment.page_block:0.90
7p109release_year_referenceDescribed as having been grown/available for more than a century.'Compass' has been around for more than a century, % stainability was >50% throughout this experiment.page_block:0.90
7p107description_snippetCompass appears in the plum section of the stainability results; full within-page text for this cultivar is truncated.Average % stainability across months in storage within ‘Compass’,page_block:0.90
7p97entry_hardiness_observationFor 'Compass', percent survival was 80 in greenhouse (Grhs.) and 100 in field at the end of Experiment III.Plum 'Compass' 80 100page_block:0.90
7p95description_snippetGreenhouse: fraction of replications with suckers = 0 and # suckers = 0; Field: fraction of replications with suckers = 1/9 and # suckers = 1.'Compass' Greenhouse 0 0 Field 1/9 1page_block:0.90
7p93description_snippetHerbivore rating reported as 3.4 (Tukey grouping marker bc).Plum ... P. besseyi x Prunus spp. 'Compass' 3.4 bcpage_block:0.90
7p93entry_pedigreeParentage shown as P. besseyi x Prunus spp. for cultivar 'Compass'.Plum ... P. besseyi x Prunus spp. 'Compass' 3.4 bcpage_block:0.90
7p91description_snippetTable values indicate initial height 15.8 cm, initial stem diameter 1.68 mm, change in stem diameter 1.73 mm, and ΔTCA 7.42 mm².P. bessyi x P. hortulana 'Compass' 15.8 bcd 1.68 b 1.73 b 7.42 bpage_block:0.90
7p91taxon_contextPlum-related interspecific entry classified within Prunus bessyi × Prunus hortulana.P. bessyi x P. hortulana 'Compass' 15.8 bcd 1.68 b 1.73 b 7.42 bpage_block:0.90
7p91entry_pedigreeListed as a cross (hybrid) between P. bessyi and P. hortulana.P. bessyi x P. hortulana 'Compass' 15.8 bcd 1.68 b 1.73 b 7.42 bpage_block:0.90
7p88source_reference_abbreviationRow is presented in Table 6 with the same structure and replication metrics as adjacent entries.P. bessyi x P. hortulana ‘Compass’ 77.2 a 5.93 abc 0.62 7.39page_block:0.90
7p88description_snippetRecorded metrics for Compass are 77.2 a (height), 5.93 abc (stem diameter), 0.62 change in diameter, and 7.39 change in TCA (mm²).P. bessyi x P. hortulana ‘Compass’ 77.2 a 5.93 abc 0.62 7.39page_block:0.90
7p88entry_pedigreeThis is an interspecific hybrid listed as Prunus bessyi x Prunus hortulana 'Compass'.P. bessyi x P. hortulana ‘Compass’ 77.2 a 5.93 abc 0.62 7.39page_block:0.90
7p86description_snippetListed in the plum subsection of Table 5 continued.Table 5: Continued ... 'Compass' 20.8 cd 29.2 abcpage_block:0.90
7p86storage_durationPlum 'Compass' showed 20.8% germination at 25 months and 29.2% at 1 month (Table 5).Table 5: Continued ... 'Compass' 20.8 cd 29.2 abcpage_block:0.90
7p83description_snippetPlum 'Compass' has 25% non-scarified and 45.8% scarified germination with mean weeks 2.5 and 1.9.Plum 'Compass' 25 abcde 45.8 2.5 1.9page_block:0.90
7p71description_snippetSeed-year row shows x markers and replication counts 11 (greenhouse) and 9 (field).P. besseyi x P. hortulana L. ‘Compass’ HRC x x 11 9page_block:0.90
7p71selection_origin_referenceCollection location is HRC.P. besseyi x P. hortulana L. ‘Compass’ HRC x x 11 9page_block:0.90
7p71entry_pedigreeSpecies column explicitly lists an interspecific cross: P. besseyi x P. hortulana.P. besseyi x P. hortulana L. ‘Compass’ HRC x x 11 9page_block:0.90
7p50description_snippetCompass is referenced as a plum cultivar with single replications in Table 9.Replications from Hazel and South Dakota, and single replications from Compass, Gracious, Monitor, and Whittaker (Table 9).page_block:0.90
112p9recommendation_contextListed in row 8 of the cherry-plum orchard arrangement together with Convoy.8 Convoy and Compasspage_block:0.90
112p7recommendation_contextIncluded in the smaller home or commercial planting group in Table 14.Compass 22 G Late Good P. Besseyi x Miner plumpage_block:0.90
112p7recommendation_contextIncluded in the selected 11 commonly grown cherry-plum varieties used to show intercompatibility.Compass 22 G Late Good P. Besseyi x Miner plumpage_block:0.90
112p7recommendation_contextThe narrative states Compass shows good compatibility with 13 out of 22 varieties, fair with two, and poor with seven.Compass 22 G Late Good P. Besseyi x Miner plumpage_block:0.90
112p7description_snippetPollen abundance is good.Compass 22 G Late Good P. Besseyi x Miner plumpage_block:0.90
112p7description_snippetSeason of bloom is late.Compass 22 G Late Good P. Besseyi x Miner plumpage_block:0.90
112p7description_snippetRated good as a pollinizer in tests on 22 varieties.Compass 22 G Late Good P. Besseyi x Miner plumpage_block:0.90
112p7entry_pedigreeParentage is given as P. besseyi x Miner plum.Compass 22 G Late Good P. Besseyi x Miner plumpage_block:0.90
112p4entry_pedigreeSpecies/background listed as P. besseyi x P. hortulana Mineri.Compass 2 Very late P. Besseyi x P. hortulana Mineripage_block:0.90
112p4description_snippetBloom season: very late.Compass 2 Very late P. Besseyi x P. hortulana Mineripage_block:0.90
112p4description_snippetPollinated 2 varieties tested.Compass 2 Very late P. Besseyi x P. hortulana Mineripage_block:0.90
112p4recommendation_contextRated as a good pollinizer in Table 3.Compass 2 Very late P. Besseyi x P. hortulana Mineripage_block:0.90
17p15recommendation_contextA. Norby stated that as a market fruit it possessed little or no value because earlier, larger, and more desirable plums were available.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15recommendation_contextA. Norby considered it attractive and of fair quality, but quite subject to spur blight and rot.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15productivityA. Norby wrote that it bears young and abundantly.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15description_snippetPit cling; skin fairly free from astringency; pit with considerable red and free from the fruit, longish oval, tapering to both ends with blunt margin and quite thick.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15flavor_profileQuality is good for eating out of hand; flavor is a pleasant acid, a mingling of sand cherry and plum.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15description_snippetFlesh is light greenish yellow, very juicy and tender.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15description_snippetDots are very minute and inconspicuous brown; skin thin and tough.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15fruit_colorSurface is a solid dark brownish red with characteristic gloss and some blue bloom.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15description_snippetShape roundish oval, somewhat tapering; apex rounded; cavity distinct and rather deep; suture a line.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15fruit_sizeDescription gives size as about one inch by seven-eighths, slightly flattened sideways.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15anecdote_snippetIn 1903 the crop was excessive and the fruit rotted badly on the tree, but the season was extremely wet and many other plums were affected likewise.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15flavor_profileThe flavor is pleasant, peculiar, sprightly, and a mingling of sand cherry and plum.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15storage_durationKeeps only a short time after picking and is chiefly valuable for earliness for the home garden.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15culinary_useGood to eat out of hand and makes a fine jelly.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15release_year_referenceFruit ripe August 18 to 23.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15fruit_colorFruit is dark red with very glossy skin.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15growth_habitCompass makes a large, upright, strong-growing tree with a tendency to long slender branches, suggesting the need of trimming in the early years.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15taxon_contextThe page argues that Compass should not be called a cherry.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15anecdote_snippetThe originator also used Morello cherry pollen, but no evidence of cherry influence shows in Compass or its seedlings.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p15entry_pedigreeThe writer concludes that some native Minnesota plum, not Miner, was the sire of Compass, because seedlings revert either to the sand cherry or native plum.The Compass is probably the forerunner of a race of hybrids which will be of value for general cultivation, but it is a mistake to call it a cherry.page_block:0.90
17p14selection_origin_referenceSix Compass trees at the Station were planted in 1898 and given special attention from the plant-breeding standpoint.Compass, Besseyi X Americana.page_block:0.90
17p14recommendation_contextIt is on the trial list of the Minnesota and South Dakota State Horticultural Societies.Compass, Besseyi X Americana.page_block:0.90
17p14recommendation_contextIt is described as worthy of a place in the home garden.Compass, Besseyi X Americana.page_block:0.90
17p14flavor_profileThe fruit is described as having a pleasant, sprightly flavor.Compass, Besseyi X Americana.page_block:0.90
17p14fruit_sizeIt bears small plum-like fruit.Compass, Besseyi X Americana.page_block:0.90
17p14productivityThe hybrid plant proved to be an early and abundant bearer.Compass, Besseyi X Americana.page_block:0.90
17p14release_year_referenceThe resulting seedling fruited in 1894.Compass, Besseyi X Americana.page_block:0.90
17p14entry_locationThe origin is tied to Springfield, Minnesota; the Sand Cherry parent came from near Bismarck, North Dakota.Compass, Besseyi X Americana.page_block:0.90
17p14entry_pedigreeThe Sand Cherry was the female parent.Compass, Besseyi X Americana.page_block:0.90
17p14entry_pedigreeIt was produced by crossing the Sand Cherry from near Bismarck, North Dakota, with the Miner plum.Compass, Besseyi X Americana.page_block:0.90
17p14breeder_referenceThe originator named is H. Knudson.Compass, Besseyi X Americana.page_block:0.90
17p14selection_origin_referenceOriginated in the spring of 1891 by H. Knudson of Springfield, Minnesota.Compass, Besseyi X Americana.page_block:0.90
17p14description_snippetThe text says it is called the Compass cherry but would be called a small extra early plum by most people.Compass, Besseyi X Americana.page_block:0.90
17p14taxon_contextPresented as a Besseyi x Americana hybrid.Compass, Besseyi X Americana.page_block:0.90

Nursery Offering Timeline

YearNurseryCatalog IssueRelation
No catalog issue offerings linked.

Linked Entities

RelationTypeIDLabel
pollinizer_good_forcultivar1401Convoy
pollinizer_good_forcultivar1423Sapalta
pollinizer_good_forcultivar159Opata
pollinizer_good_forcultivar1422Manor
pollinizer_good_forcultivar158Sapa

Evidence Claims

TypeClaimConfidence
recommendation_contextRecommended planting ratio is at least 1 Compass to 8 or 10 Sapa or Oka in large plantings.0.97
recommendation_contextDescribed as indispensable as a pollinizer for Sapa and Oka.0.98
productivityAn early fruiter, bearing the second year.0.96
culinary_useFruit is especially good for jams, jellies, and canning.0.97
entry_hardiness_observationA very hardy tree that thrives in nearly any sort of location.0.97
recommendation_contextPresented as the most satisfactory pollinizer for Sapa and Oka cherries.0.99
recommendation_contextIncluded in the 12-tree Model Home Orchard assortment with 1 tree.0.93
taxon_contextCompass Cherry is referenced as another offspring of the Sand Cherry.0.90
recommendation_contextIncluded among new varieties of hardy fruits brought forward for the Northwest.0.92
taxon_contextIdentified as a cherry.0.93
description_snippetGrouping letters in the same row are A-D, A-C, A, AB, A-E, AB, A-E, A-F, A-D, and A-D by month.0.87
storage_durationCompass is represented in Table 2 as 91%, 92%, 94%, 96%, 94%, 90%, 86%, 84%, 91%, and 91% for 0 through 9 months.0.94
source_reference_abbreviationSource citation given as Waugh, 1899.0.95
release_year_referenceIntroduction year listed as 1896.0.96
entry_pedigreeCultivar Compass is derived from P. besseyi × P. hortulana (both indicated as L. in the row).0.97
recommendation_contextSustained stainability supports potential use in breeding crosses.0.74
entry_hardiness_observationMaintained >50% pollen stainability across the reported experiment.0.87
release_year_referenceDescribed as having been grown/available for more than a century.0.81
description_snippetCompass appears in the plum section of the stainability results; full within-page text for this cultivar is truncated.0.58
entry_hardiness_observationFor 'Compass', percent survival was 80 in greenhouse (Grhs.) and 100 in field at the end of Experiment III.0.99
description_snippetGreenhouse: fraction of replications with suckers = 0 and # suckers = 0; Field: fraction of replications with suckers = 1/9 and # suckers = 1.0.96
description_snippetHerbivore rating reported as 3.4 (Tukey grouping marker bc).0.97
entry_pedigreeParentage shown as P. besseyi x Prunus spp. for cultivar 'Compass'.0.99
description_snippetTable values indicate initial height 15.8 cm, initial stem diameter 1.68 mm, change in stem diameter 1.73 mm, and ΔTCA 7.42 mm².0.97
taxon_contextPlum-related interspecific entry classified within Prunus bessyi × Prunus hortulana.0.98
entry_pedigreeListed as a cross (hybrid) between P. bessyi and P. hortulana.0.99
source_reference_abbreviationRow is presented in Table 6 with the same structure and replication metrics as adjacent entries.0.95
description_snippetRecorded metrics for Compass are 77.2 a (height), 5.93 abc (stem diameter), 0.62 change in diameter, and 7.39 change in TCA (mm²).0.97
entry_pedigreeThis is an interspecific hybrid listed as Prunus bessyi x Prunus hortulana 'Compass'.0.99
description_snippetListed in the plum subsection of Table 5 continued.0.99
storage_durationPlum 'Compass' showed 20.8% germination at 25 months and 29.2% at 1 month (Table 5).0.97
description_snippetPlum 'Compass' has 25% non-scarified and 45.8% scarified germination with mean weeks 2.5 and 1.9.0.95
description_snippetSeed-year row shows x markers and replication counts 11 (greenhouse) and 9 (field).0.91
selection_origin_referenceCollection location is HRC.0.96
entry_pedigreeSpecies column explicitly lists an interspecific cross: P. besseyi x P. hortulana.0.98
description_snippetCompass is referenced as a plum cultivar with single replications in Table 9.0.90
recommendation_contextListed in row 8 of the cherry-plum orchard arrangement together with Convoy.0.95
recommendation_contextIncluded in the smaller home or commercial planting group in Table 14.0.90
recommendation_contextIncluded in the selected 11 commonly grown cherry-plum varieties used to show intercompatibility.0.90
recommendation_contextThe narrative states Compass shows good compatibility with 13 out of 22 varieties, fair with two, and poor with seven.0.93
description_snippetPollen abundance is good.0.95
description_snippetSeason of bloom is late.0.95
description_snippetRated good as a pollinizer in tests on 22 varieties.0.96
entry_pedigreeParentage is given as P. besseyi x Miner plum.0.98
entry_pedigreeSpecies/background listed as P. besseyi x P. hortulana Mineri.0.99
description_snippetBloom season: very late.0.97
description_snippetPollinated 2 varieties tested.0.96
recommendation_contextRated as a good pollinizer in Table 3.0.99
recommendation_contextA. Norby stated that as a market fruit it possessed little or no value because earlier, larger, and more desirable plums were available.0.97
recommendation_contextA. Norby considered it attractive and of fair quality, but quite subject to spur blight and rot.0.97
productivityA. Norby wrote that it bears young and abundantly.0.96
description_snippetPit cling; skin fairly free from astringency; pit with considerable red and free from the fruit, longish oval, tapering to both ends with blunt margin and quite thick.0.83
flavor_profileQuality is good for eating out of hand; flavor is a pleasant acid, a mingling of sand cherry and plum.0.96
description_snippetFlesh is light greenish yellow, very juicy and tender.0.93
description_snippetDots are very minute and inconspicuous brown; skin thin and tough.0.91
fruit_colorSurface is a solid dark brownish red with characteristic gloss and some blue bloom.0.95
description_snippetShape roundish oval, somewhat tapering; apex rounded; cavity distinct and rather deep; suture a line.0.90
fruit_sizeDescription gives size as about one inch by seven-eighths, slightly flattened sideways.0.92
anecdote_snippetIn 1903 the crop was excessive and the fruit rotted badly on the tree, but the season was extremely wet and many other plums were affected likewise.0.95
flavor_profileThe flavor is pleasant, peculiar, sprightly, and a mingling of sand cherry and plum.0.97
storage_durationKeeps only a short time after picking and is chiefly valuable for earliness for the home garden.0.96
culinary_useGood to eat out of hand and makes a fine jelly.0.96
release_year_referenceFruit ripe August 18 to 23.0.92
fruit_colorFruit is dark red with very glossy skin.0.97
growth_habitCompass makes a large, upright, strong-growing tree with a tendency to long slender branches, suggesting the need of trimming in the early years.0.96
taxon_contextThe page argues that Compass should not be called a cherry.0.97
anecdote_snippetThe originator also used Morello cherry pollen, but no evidence of cherry influence shows in Compass or its seedlings.0.91
entry_pedigreeThe writer concludes that some native Minnesota plum, not Miner, was the sire of Compass, because seedlings revert either to the sand cherry or native plum.0.95
selection_origin_referenceSix Compass trees at the Station were planted in 1898 and given special attention from the plant-breeding standpoint.0.92
recommendation_contextIt is on the trial list of the Minnesota and South Dakota State Horticultural Societies.0.93
recommendation_contextIt is described as worthy of a place in the home garden.0.92
flavor_profileThe fruit is described as having a pleasant, sprightly flavor.0.94
fruit_sizeIt bears small plum-like fruit.0.94
productivityThe hybrid plant proved to be an early and abundant bearer.0.95
release_year_referenceThe resulting seedling fruited in 1894.0.96
entry_locationThe origin is tied to Springfield, Minnesota; the Sand Cherry parent came from near Bismarck, North Dakota.0.94
entry_pedigreeThe Sand Cherry was the female parent.0.98
entry_pedigreeIt was produced by crossing the Sand Cherry from near Bismarck, North Dakota, with the Miner plum.0.97
breeder_referenceThe originator named is H. Knudson.0.97
selection_origin_referenceOriginated in the spring of 1891 by H. Knudson of Springfield, Minnesota.0.97
description_snippetThe text says it is called the Compass cherry but would be called a small extra early plum by most people.0.96
taxon_contextPresented as a Besseyi x Americana hybrid.0.99

History Events

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No history events.