Angélique de Bordeaux
PearAngélique de Bordeaux
Origin / History
A variety from France (Downing, citing Hogg). Henri Manger thought it identical with the pear Liceriana or Liciniana of which Pliny spoke, which bears the name of Licinius, the Roman tribune and consul. In 1690 Jean Merlet described a pear under the name Angelique which appears to be the same, and said it was much esteemed in Languedoc under the name Saint-Martial. Hedrick states that its origin is ancient and uncertain, though it seems quite likely, as M. Leroy thought, that it originated in Languedoc, Gironde, France. Switser considered it was introduced into England about 1708; for upwards of 100 years it was grown there under the name Saint Martial.
Early references: Duhamel, Trait. Arb. Fr. 2:214, Pl. XLVII, fig. 5 (1768); Prince, Pom. Man. 1:79 (1831); Lindley, Guide Orch. Gard. 391 (1831); Leroy, Dict. Pom. 1:133, figs. (1867), under the name St. Martial.
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size: Medium to large: medium (Downing, citing Hogg); above medium to large (Hedrick).
Form: Obtuse pyriform, uneven in outline.
Stem: Stalk fleshy at insertion (Downing, citing Hogg).
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Small (Downing, citing Hogg).
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Glossy green changing as it ripens to pale yellow or greenish yellow (Hedrick); yellowish green in the shade, brownish red in the sun (Downing, citing Hogg). A few patches of russet.
Dots: Brown, strewn over the whole surface.
Flesh and flavor: Whitish, semi-fine; tender, juicy, buttery, melting (Downing, citing Hogg); breaking, sweet and sugary, agreeable, not rich in perfume (Hedrick).
Core and seeds: Not described in source.
Season
January to April.
Uses
Dessert and cooking; Hedrick rates it "second" for both.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 1 catalog (1849) from Massachusetts
- Hovey & Co. , Cambridge , Massachusetts — 1849
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Angelique de Bordeaux.
Gros Franc Beal d'Hiver. St. Martial. Cristalline. Molle Bouche d'Hiver.
A variety from France. Fruit medium, obtuse pyriform. Skin yellowish green in the shade, brownish red in the sun, with brown dots. Stalk fleshy at insertion. Calyx small. Flesh tender, juicy, buttery, melting. January to April. (Hogg.)
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Angélique de Bordeaux. 1. Duhamel Trait. Arb. Fr. 2:214, Pl. XLVII, fig. 5. 1768. 2. Lindley Guide Orch. Gard. 391. 1831. 3. Leroy Dict. Pom. 1:133, figs. 1867. St. Martial. 4. Prince Pom. Man. 1:79. 1831.
Henri Manger thought this pear identical with the pear Liceriana or Liciniana of which Pliny spoke and which bears the name of Licinius, the Roman tribune and consul. In 1690 Jean Merlet described a pear under the name Angelique which appears to be the same, and said it was much esteemed in Languedoc under the name Saint-Martial. It remains that its origin is ancient and uncertain, though it seems quite likely, as M. Leroy thought, that it originated in Languedoc, Gironde, Fr. Switser considered it was introduced into England about 1708. For upwards of 100 years it was grown there under the name Saint Martial. It does not appear when it was first brought to this country. Fruit above medium to large, obtuse-pyriform, uneven in outline, glossy green changing as it ripens to pale yellow or greenish-yellow, the whole strewed with brown dots and a few patches of russet; flesh whitish, semi-fine, sweet and sugary, breaking, agreeable, not rich in perfume; second for dessert and cooking; Jan. to Apr.