Althorpe Crassane

Pear

Althorpe Crassane

Origin/History

Elliott (1865) identifies the variety as "Foreign" (i.e., of non-American origin). No further origin or history is described in the sources.

Tree

Not described in source.

Fruit

Size and Form: All three sources agree the fruit is medium in size. Downing (1900) and Thomas (1903) describe the form as roundish-ovate; Elliott (1865) gives it as roundish obovate.

Stem: Not described in source.

Cavity: Not described in source.

Calyx: Not described in source.

Basin: Not described in source.

Skin: All three sources agree on pale green skin. Elliott adds that the surface is rough, with dark green suffused dots, spots of russet, and a tinge of brown.

Flesh and Flavor: All sources agree the flesh is white and juicy. Downing and Thomas concur that it is not rich. Downing describes it as buttery and slightly perfumed. Elliott likewise calls the flesh buttery but characterizes it as rather coarse — a detail not mentioned by the other sources. On overall quality, Downing rates it "Good"; Elliott describes quality as variable and separately quotes the assessment "very good"; Thomas gives no explicit quality rating.

Core and Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

October and November (Downing, Elliott). Thomas gives October only.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 3 period pomological works

View original book sources (3)

Althorpe Crassane.

Fruit medium, roundish ovate. Skin pale green. Flesh white, buttery, and quite juicy, not rich, slightly perfumed. Good. October, November.

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Althorpe Crassane.

Foreign. Quality, variable. Fruit medium, roundish obovate, rough, pale green, with dark green suffused dots, and spots of russet, tinge of brown ; flesh, white, buttery, juicy, rather coarse ; "very good," October and November.

— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)

Althorpe Crassane. Medium, roundish-ovate, pale green; juicy, not rich. October.

— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)