Astracan
Crab Apple
Astracan (Evergreen Apple Crab)
Origin/History
Not described in sources. Both sources identify this variety by the alternative name "Evergreen Apple Crab," which reflects its most distinctive characteristic.
Tree
The leaves are evergreen and remain on the tree throughout the winter (Desportes). No further tree characteristics are described in either source.
Fruit
Size: Desportes gives precise measurements of two-thirds of an inch high and three-fourths of an inch broad. Downing describes the fruit as medium — a characterization that may reflect the crab apple scale rather than conflict with Desportes' measurements, but both are noted.
Form: Oblate, compressed; Desportes adds irregular.
Stem: Short, one-third of an inch long, obliquely inserted in a shallow cavity, crowded on one side by a lip (Desportes).
Cavity: Shallow (Desportes).
Calyx/Eye: Broad, formed by several small wrinkles on the surface; segments long (Desportes).
Basin: Not described in sources.
Skin: Deep green (Desportes), speckled with white dots (both sources agree).
Flesh/Flavor: Greenish white, juicy; quality inferior (Downing).
Core/Seeds: Not described in sources.
Season
Not described in sources.
Uses
Not described in sources. Downing's rating of "Inferior" implies limited culinary value.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in sources.
Other
Not described in sources.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— B. Desportes, The Horticulturist (1856)No. 10. ASTRACAN, OR EVERGREEN APPLE CRAB.— Fruit, two-thirds of an inch high, and three-fourths of an inch broad; form, oblate, compressed, irregular; stalk, short, one-third of an inch long, obliquely inserted in a shallow cavity, crowded on one side by a lip; eye, broad, formed by several small wrinkles out the surface; segments, long; color, deep green, speckled with white dots. The leaves are evergreen, and remains on the tree during the winter.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)ASTRACAN.
Evergreen Apple Crab.
Fruit medium, oblate, compressed, green, specked with white dots. Flesh greenish white, juicy. Inferior.