Abbé Pérez
PearAbbé Pérez (Pear)
Origin/History
The sources conflict on origin. Hedrick (1921) states that the parent tree was found in the garden of the Abbé Pérez, Lectoure, Department Gers, France, and that the variety was grafted and distributed in 1859. Downing (1900), citing Leroy, states the pear originated in Germany and was introduced in 1862.
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size: The sources conflict. Downing describes the fruit as small to medium; Hedrick gives it as above medium.
Form: The sources conflict. Downing describes the shape as oval oblate; Hedrick describes it as ovate, flattened at both ends.
Stem: Not described in source.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Both sources agree on a yellowish-green ground color. The sources conflict on the surface markings: Downing describes the skin as splashed and dotted with red, shaded with fawn-color at the apex; Hedrick describes it as dotted and streaked with russet, with no mention of red or fawn shading.
Flesh/Flavor: Both sources agree the flesh is whitish, melting, and juicy. The sources diverge on further character: Downing describes the flesh as firm, harsh at the core, vinous, and sweet; Hedrick describes it as fine, sugary, acidulous, and delicately perfumed, with no mention of harshness at the core. Hedrick rates the variety first quality.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
November to February (both sources agree).
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Hedrick cites Leroy, Dict. Pom. 1:83, fig. (1867) and Downing, Fr. Trees Am. 654 (1869) as prior references. Downing's attribution is itself to Leroy.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Abbe Perez.
This Pear originated in Germany, and was introduced in 1862. Fruit small to medium, oval oblate. Skin yellowish green, splashed and dotted with red, shaded with fawn-color at the apex. Flesh whitish, firm, melting, juicy, harsh at the core, vinous, sweet. November, February. (Leroy.)
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Abbé Pérez. 1. Leroy Dict. Pom. 1:83, fig. 1867. 2. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 654. 1869.
The parent tree of this variety was found in a garden of the Abbé Pérez, Lectoure, Department Gers, Fr. It was grafted and distributed in 1859. Fruit above medium, ovate, flattened at both ends, yellowish-green, dotted and streaked with russet; flesh whitish, fine, melting, juicy, sugary, acidulous, delicately perfumed; first; Nov. to Feb.