ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 3 -- United States Patent no. PP37,239, issued on Feb. 3.

"Interspecific tree named 'Flavor Chief'" was invented by Lacey Marie Gardner (Modesto, Calif.) and Tracee Louise Bettencourt (Modesto, Calif.).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "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, California, with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consists of the followin...