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US Plant Patent PP16599

Autumn Sprite

Interspecific tree named ‘Autumn Sprite’

PUBLIC DOMAIN

Patent expired April 15, 2025. This plant is in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell it.

Twenty years from the filing date would end on January 3, 2025. This patent earned 102 days of term adjustment for delay at the Patent Office, which is why it runs longer.

Figure 1 of US plant patent PP16599, the photograph of Autumn Sprite printed in the patent.
Figure 1 from US Plant Patent PP16599, reproduced as printed. Photographs in a plant patent are taken by the applicant. Reproduction of the patent document is permitted; the image is shown whole and uncropped for that reason.

The record

Patent number
PP16599
Filed
January 3, 2005
Granted
May 30, 2006
Expires
April 15, 2025
Assignee
GARDNER LEITH MARIE, ZAIGER GARY NEIL, ZAIGER GRANT GENE
Inventor
ZAIGER GARY NEIL; GARDNER LEITH MARIE; ZAIGER GRANT GENE

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features: 1. Regular and productive bearer of medium to large fruit. 2. Vigorous, semi-spreading tree growth. 3. Fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality. 4. Fruit with an attractive yellow-orange skin color. 5. Having firmer flesh than most commercial apricot varieties. 6. Fruit holding firm on the tree 10-12 days after maturity (shipping ripe).

Show the legal claimThe single numbered claim as granted — the legal text that defines what this patent covers.

1. A new and distinct interspecific tree, substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its large size, vigorous, semi-spreading growth and being a regular and productive bearer of medium to large fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality; the fruit is further characterized by having firm flesh, holding firm on the tree 10 to 12 days after maturity (shipping ripe), is relatively uniform in size throughout the tree and, in comparison to ‘Patterson’ Apricot (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,877), is larger in size and is approximately 37 days later in maturity.

Read the full patent: US Plant Patent PP16599 in full — the complete specification, every figure, and the file history.