1. Caliverde and California Common 49 were crossed and the F1 crossed back to California Common 49. The backcross F1 was then crossed with C-84 (a parent clone of Lahontan) and the F1 of this cross backcrossed to the (California Common 492 X Caliverde) stock. After screening for spotted aphid, stem nematode and foliar disease resistance, 8 clones were selected.
2. Primary for hay production. To be recommended for coastal valleys, Sacramento Valley and areas in Northern San Joaquin Valley where stem nematodes are a problem.
3. Varying shades of purple flowers, very light pubescence. Fairly uniform. Similar to Caliverde in dormancy and recovery. Erect growth. Highly resistant to spotted alfalfa aphid. Similar to Caliverde in resistance to foliar diseases. Less resistant to stem nematode than Lahontan, but adequate to maintain stands.
4. Seed increase is on a 3-generation basis - breeder, foundation and certified. Breeders seed to be produced from 8 parental clones planted in a polycross nursery. Equal weights of seed from each clone to be composited. Foundation seed production in Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys of California. Certified seed to be produced only from foundation seed. There will be no registered seed class.
5. Fall, 1966.