Aromatic Carolina

Apple

Aromatic Carolina

Origin / History

Originated at Pomaria, South Carolina (Downing). William Sumner contributed observations on this variety that were cited in the horticultural press and are reproduced in both Downing and Elliott.

Tree

Spreading (Elliott, Thomas); pendent, with short fruit wood and abrupt terminal buds (Elliott). Vigorous and hardy (Downing). An abundant bearer (Elliott, Thomas); productive (Downing).

Fruit

Size: Large (all three sources agree).

Form: Sources conflict. Downing describes the fruit as roundish oblate with unequal sides. Elliott gives oblate conical, and Thomas gives oblate-conic and oblique. Elliott and Thomas are in agreement; Downing's "roundish oblate" represents a somewhat different shape impression, though "sides unequal" (Downing) and "oblique" (Thomas) may reflect the same asymmetry.

Stem: Not described in source.

Cavity: Not described in source.

Calyx: Open (Elliott).

Basin: Wide (Elliott).

Skin: Sources conflict on ground color. Downing describes the skin as light yellow, slightly streaked with pale red. Elliott and Thomas describe it as pale red, slightly streaked, with a heavy bloom. The heavy bloom is noted by both Elliott and Thomas but not mentioned by Downing.

Flesh / Flavor: Sources conflict. Downing's own account describes the flesh as moderately firm, crisp, pleasant, mild, subacid, and aromatic, rating the variety Very good. However, Downing also cites William Sumner's account, which describes the fruit as exceedingly tender and melting. Elliott (drawing on Sumner in the Horticulturist) and Thomas both describe the flesh as tender and melting, and aromatic; Thomas adds that the flavor is excellent. The tender-melting characterization thus appears in three sources; Downing's "moderately firm, crisp" description stands alone.

Core / Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

Sources conflict. Downing gives August and September as the primary season, but separately notes that Sumner places it in season all through July. Elliott and Thomas both give July only.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes / Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 3 period pomological works

View original book sources (3)

Aromatic Carolina.

Origin, Pomaria, South Carolina. Tree vigorous, hardy, productive.

Fruit large, roundish, oblate, sides unequal, light yellow, slightly streaked with pale red. Flesh moderately firm, crisp, pleasant, mild, subacid, aromatic. Very good. August and September. William Sumner says this is exceedingly tender and melting, and in season all July.

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

Aromatic Carolina. From South Carolina. "Tree, spreading, pendent, short fruit wood, abrupt terminal buds. Fruit, large, oblate conical, pale red, slightly streaked; heavy bloom; wide basin; open calyx; flesh, tender, melting, aromatic. July. Abundant bearer." (Wm. Sumner, in Hort.)

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

Aromatic Carolina. Large, oblate-conic, oblique; pale red with heavy bloom; flesh tender and melting, flavor aromatic and excellent. July. Tree spreading. An abundant bearer. Southern.

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

Aromatic Calville XI