Archiduc d'Été
PearArchiduc d'Été
Origin/History
An old French variety described under various names at different times and places, with the earliest known description by Merlet in 1675. It acquired the synonym of Ognonet in the eighteenth century from its swelled onion-like form. The variety is cited by Duhamel in 1768 and by Leroy in 1867.
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size and Form: The two sources disagree on size: Downing describes the fruit as medium, while Hedrick calls it small. Both agree on the general form — obovate pyriform; Hedrick specifies more precisely as obovate-obtuse-pyriform.
Stem: Not described in source.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Open (Downing).
Basin: Shallow (Downing).
Skin: The two sources give slightly differing accounts. Downing describes the skin as smooth and yellowish green, covered with dark brownish red next the sun. Hedrick describes the ground color as pale lively green, changing to yellowish-green as it ripens, covered with dark red (not brownish) next the sun, with numerous russety dots and some patches of russet — details Downing does not mention.
Flesh and Flavor: Both sources agree the flesh is gritty and juicy. Downing describes the color as whitish and the flavor simply as sweet, citing Hogg. Hedrick gives a fuller account: flesh yellowish-white, semi-fine, juicy, gritty, sugary and acid, with a slight flavor of anis. Quality rated second.
Core and Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Hedrick gives the season as July and August. Downing specifies early August.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
- Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)
- Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900) — listed as Summer Archduke
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Summer Archduke.
Archiduc d'Été. Gros Ognonet. Archduke of Summer. Amire roux. Ognonet. Brown Admired. Amire roux de Tours. Ognonnet. Great Onion Pear. De-la-mi-Juillet. Oignonet. Ognonet Musqué.
Fruit medium, obovate pyriform. Skin smooth, yellowish green, covered with dark brownish red next the sun. Calyx open. Basin shallow. Flesh whitish, rather gritty, juicy, and sweet. Ripe early August. (Hogg.)
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Archiduc d'Été. 1. Leroy Did. Pom. 1:155, fig. 1867. Ognonet. 2. Duhamel Trait. Arb. Fr. 2:135, Pl. VIII. 1768. An old French variety described under various names at different times and places, the earliest being by Merlet in 1675. It acquired the synonym of Ognonet in the eighteenth century from its swelled onion-like form. Fruit small, obovate-obtuse-pyriform; pale lively green changing to yellowish-green as it ripens and covered with dark red next the sun with numerous russety dots and some patches of russet; flesh yellowish-white, semi-fine, juicy, gritty, sugary, acid, with a slight flavor of anis; second; July and Aug.