Nectarine tree named ‘UFRoyal’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, denominated ‘UFRoyal’, has a low winter chilling requirement estimated at 250 chill units (cu). The tree is medium size and moderately vigorous with a semi-spreading growth habit. It produces showy, pink flowers and small reniform leaf glands. Trees of ‘UFRoyal’ are self-fertile and regularly bear heavy annual crops of early season fruit that are large for its ripening season. Fruit are uniformly firm and yellow with non-melting flesh which are clingstone. Fruit are oval, and uniform with substantially symmetrical shape, and have an attractive 90 to 100% bright red skin. The fruit of ‘UFRoyal’ ripen about 1 week before ‘UFQueen’ nectarine in early May at Gainesville, Fla.

1. A new and distinct nectarine tree variety as illustrated and described, characterized by a low chilling requirement, and bearing fruit having firm, yellow and non-melting, clingstone flesh of high eating quality and an attractive, high percentage red skin with fruit ripening in early May or about 1 week before ‘UFQueen’ at Gainesville, Fla.