Origin: in Puyallup, Wash., by B.H. Barritt and C.D. Schwartze, West Washington Res. Ext. Center, Washington State Univ. Introd. in 1972. WSU 685 (Northwest × Sierra) × Columbia. Cross made in 1962 by C.D. Schwartze, selected in 1965, tested as WSU 1232, sister seedling of Shuksan. Tree: vigorous; productivity slightly lower than Shuksan and Northwest, similar to Hood, less hardy than Shuksan, more so than Northwest; petioles long and twisting, giving illusion of wilting; produces fewer runners than Hood, Shuksan, or Northwest; tolerant to powdery mildew and red-stele root rot (not all races); more susceptible to Botrytis fruit rot than Shuksan but not as susceptible as Northwest; recommended for processing and fresh market in western Washington, Oregon and southwestern British Columbia. Fruit: large throughout season; wedgeconic; skin bright red, slightly sunken yellow seeds; flesh firmer than Northwest, bright red throughout; calyx large with narrow pointed sepals, appressed and difficult to remove, not suited for mechanical calyx removal; ripens late, 2 to 3 days later than Northwest and Shuksan; makes outstanding frozen slice pack and preserves, also suited for fresh-fruit market, with good shelf life.
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