Origin: in Mandan, N.D., by W.P. Baird, Northern Great Plains Field Sta. Introd. in 1957. Open-pollinated seedling of Emerald; selected in 1941; probably the result of crossing with Red Wing, as leaf and fruit characteristics of Gracious indicate a combination of Prunus americana and P. salicina, tested as Mandan 41-15. Tree: very hardy, more so than Red Wing, moderately vigorous; slightly spreading. Recommended for planting in most sections of the Northern Great Plains, where a large plum of superior quality is wanted. Fruit: large, averaging about 12 per lb., skin an attractive mottled red with bloom, thin, tender; flesh yellow, medium firm, sweet, juicy, entirely freestone; rates very good in cooking tests; ripens in late August; more resistant to brown rot than Red Wing, which it resembles.
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