Alexandrine Mas
PearAlexandrine Mas
Origin/History
A seedling raised by M. Mas in France from seeds of the Passe Colmar, sown in 1850. Hedrick cites the first published description as Mas, Le Verger 1:89, fig. 51 (1866–73).
Tree
Not described in sources.
Fruit
Size: The sources disagree: Downing describes the fruit as large; Hedrick describes it as medium.
Form: Obtuse pyriform (both sources). Hedrick further describes the form as irregular, with protuberances.
Stem: Stout, set without depression (Downing).
Cavity: None; stalk set without depression (Downing). Not described in Hedrick.
Calyx: Large, segments erect (Downing). Not described in Hedrick.
Basin: Not described in sources.
Skin: The sources give differing but partially complementary accounts. Downing describes the color as light yellowish green, with shades, patches, and dots of russet. Hedrick describes it as bright green, changing at maturity to pale yellow, and covered with very numerous and regularly spaced small, dark brown spots.
Flesh and Flavor: White (Downing) to whitish (Hedrick), translucent (Downing) and transparent (Hedrick), melting (Hedrick), juicy (Downing). Sweet, rich in sugar (both, variously stated), and perfumed in the manner of the Passe Colmar (Hedrick; Downing similarly notes it as perfumed). Hedrick rates the juice as sufficient. Quality rated first by Hedrick.
Core/Seeds: Not described in sources.
Season
Late winter (Downing). April and May (Hedrick).
Uses
Not described in sources beyond quality rating (first — Hedrick).
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in sources.
Other
Not described in sources.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Alexandrine Mas.
A seedling of M. Mas, France, from seeds of Passe Colinar in 1850. Fruit large, obtuse pyriform, light yellowish green, with shades and patches and dots of russet. Stalk stout, set without depression. Calyx large. Segments erect. Flesh white, translucent, juicy, sweet, perfumed. Late winter. (Verg.)
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Alexandrine Mas. 1. Mas Le Verger 1:89, fig. 51. 1866-73.
This pear came from a seed of the Passe Colmar sown by M. Mas in 1850. Fruit medium, pyriform, irregular, with protuberances, obtuse, bright green changing at maturity to pale yellow, covered with very numerous and regularly spaced small, dark brown spots; flesh whitish, transparent, melting; juice sufficient and rich in sugar, perfumed after the manner of Passe Colmar; first; Apr. and May.