Origin: in Excelsior, Minn., by the Univ. of Minnesota Fruit Breeding Farm. Named and introd. in 1920. (Prunus avium × P. pennsylvanica) × P. besseyi; selected in 1916. Tree: very vigorous; dwarf, bushy; hardy in northern Minnesota and southern Manitoba, Canada; blooms late, needs cross-pollination (e.g., Compass, Nicollet); a worthwhile ornamental. Fruit: up to 1 1/8 inches in diam.; round to slightly ovate; cavity medium to large, flaring; skin medium thick, medium tough, nonastringent, dark reddish-black, attractive; flesh greenish-yellow, firm, crisp, medium juicy, mildly subacid, pleasantly flavored; quality good, excellent for cooking; stone small, semi-free to free; ripens second half of August.
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