Augustine Lelieur
PearAugustine Lelieur
Origin/History
Augustine Lelieur is considered to be of Belgian origin, though the precise parentage is unknown. Leroy received the variety from the garden of the Society of Van Mons at Louvain in 1854, and Mas received it at Bourg from a nurseryman at Wetteren, East Flanders, in 1859. References: Leroy, Dict. Pom. 1:169, fig. (1867); Mas, Pom. Gen. 5:43, fig. 310 (1880).
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size and Form: The sources disagree on size: Downing describes the fruit as below medium; Hedrick describes it as above medium. Both agree on the form: oblong ovate pyriform (Downing) or oblong-obovate-pyriform (Hedrick). Hedrick additionally notes the fruit is a little swelled and bossed.
Stem: Downing describes the stalk as long and curved. Hedrick describes it as bearing spines and implanted obliquely.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Closed (Downing). Not further described by Hedrick.
Basin: Small, corrugated (Downing).
Skin: Greenish (Downing) or greenish-yellow (Hedrick), with patches and nettings of russet and russet dots (Downing), or russet and brown spots with stripes of fawn around the stalk (Hedrick). Downing notes a blush-red cheek on the sun-exposed side.
Flesh and Flavor: White. Downing describes the flesh as buttery, juicy, half-melting, sweet, and pleasant, rating it Good. Hedrick describes it as fine, melting, gritty, sufficiently juicy, sugary, acid, and delicate in flavor, rating it first quality.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
October and November.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Augustine Lelieur.
Auguste Lelieur.
A variety from Belgium, but of unknown origin.
Fruit below medium, oblong ovate pyriform. Skin greenish, with patches and nettings of russet, russet dots, and a blush-red cheek in sun. Stalk long, curved. Calyx closed, basin small, corrugated. Flesh white, buttery, juicy, half-melting, sweet, and pleasant. Good. October, November.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Augustine Lelieur.
- Leroy Dict. Pom. 1:169, fig. 1867. 2. Mas Pom. Gen. 5:43, fig. 310. 1880.
This variety is considered to be of Belgian origin. Leroy received it from the garden of the Society of Van Mons, Louvain, in 1854, and Mas received it at Bourg from a nurseryman at Wetteren, East Flanders, in 1859. Fruit above medium, oblong-obovate-pyriform, a little swelled, bossed, stalk bearing spines and implanted obliquely, greenish-yellow, russet and brown spots, stripes of fawn around the stalk; flesh white, fine, melting, gritty, sufficiently juicy, sugary, acid and delicate in flavor; first; Oct. and Nov.