Alexandre Bivort

Alexandre Bivort

Origin/History

Obtained in 1848 by Louis Berckmans (Hedrick). Downing identifies it as a seedling of Esperen raised in 1848. Named after Alexandre Bivort, founder of the Society of Van Mons, in Belgium (Hedrick). References: Mas Le Verger 1:37, fig. 25 (1866–73); Leroy Dict. Pom. 1:97, figs. (1867).

Tree

Vigorous, of a bushy habit. Young wood reddish brown (Downing). Not further described in Hedrick.

Fruit

Size: Downing gives medium; Hedrick gives small to medium.

Form: Downing describes the form as obtuse pyriform. Hedrick notes two distinct types exist: one spherical, the other turbinate inclining to pyriform.

Stem: Rather long (Downing).

Cavity: Small; stem set within it (Downing).

Calyx: Small, open. Segments slender, partly recurved (Downing).

Basin: Large, abrupt, corrugated (Downing).

Skin: The sources differ. Downing describes the skin as pale yellow, with a few patches and traces of russet. Hedrick describes it as smooth, shining green changing to yellow, dotted with russet.

Flesh and Flavor: The sources conflict substantially. Downing describes the flesh as whitish, a little coarse, moderately juicy, half tender, sweet, and pleasant, and rates the quality as Good. Hedrick describes the flesh as white, fine-grained, tender, full of juice, sugary, with a perfume of almond, but notes it is variable in quality.

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

Downing gives December to February. Hedrick gives November to January.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Hedrick distinguishes two fruit types within this variety: one spherical, the other turbinate inclining to pyriform. The flesh quality is noted as variable (Hedrick).

Other

Not described in source.