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US Plant Patent PP17826

Bella Gold

Interspecific tree named ‘Bella Gold’

PUBLIC DOMAIN

Patent expired January 25, 2026. This plant is in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell it.

Twenty years from the filing date would end on December 29, 2025. This patent earned 27 days of term adjustment for delay at the Patent Office, which is why it runs longer.

Figure 1 of US plant patent PP17826, the photograph of Bella Gold printed in the patent.
Figure 1 from US Plant Patent PP17826, 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
PP17826
Filed
December 29, 2005
Granted
June 26, 2007
Expires
January 25, 2026
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 fruit. 2. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality. 3. Fruit with an attractive orange red skin blush. 4. Having firmer flesh than most commercial apricots. 5. Fruit holding firm on the tree 8 to 10 days after maturity (shipping ripe). 6. Relatively uniform ripening of fruit throughout the tree.

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

1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its large size, semi-vigorous growth and being a productive and regular bearer of medium size, semi freestone fruit with very good flavor and eating quality; the fruit is further characterized by having skin with an attractive orange red blush over approximately 30% of a high yellow ground color, holding firm on the tree 8 to 10 days after maturity (shipping ripe) and in comparison to its interspecific proprietary maternal parent (38GH47), which has fruit with smooth slick skin surface, the fruit of the new variety has pubescence and is approximately 24 days earlier in maturity.

Read the full patent: US Plant Patent PP17826 in full — the complete specification, every figure, and the file history.