Belborodooskoe

Apple

Belborodooskoe

Origin/History

Belborodooskoe is a Russian apple. It appears in American pomological literature from at least 1887, when it was referenced by Gibb in the American Pomological Society Report (1887:155, No. 37). Subsequent references include the New York Station Annual Report (8:349, 1889; 12:599, 1893), Thomas (1897:265, with figure), and Hansen's South Dakota Station Bulletin (76:29, 1902). The variety has been published under several alternate spellings, including "Bellerdovskoe" (Thomas; Hansen), "Bielborodovskoe" (Gibb), and "White Borodovka" (Gibb).

Tree

Not described in source.

Fruit

Size

Medium to large (Beach); large (Hansen; Thomas).

Form

Round (Hansen; Thomas), as regular as if turned in a lathe (Hansen), somewhat truncated (Hansen). Regular (Thomas). The overall form is described as strikingly uniform and symmetrical.

Stem

Short to medium (Hansen); short (Thomas).

Cavity

Regular, acute (Hansen; Thomas). With an irregular patch of russet (Hansen).

Calyx

Large, closed; segments generally small (Hansen).

Basin

Wide, shallow (Hansen; Thomas), corrugated around the calyx (Hansen).

Skin

Surface smooth (Hansen; Thomas). Color greenish yellow (Beach; Hansen; Thomas), sometimes blushed (Beach), rarely a little bronzed in the sun (Hansen); Thomas describes the bronzing in the sun without qualification as to rarity. Dots large, white, suffused, numerous (Hansen).

Flesh and Flavor

Flesh white (Hansen; Thomas), firm (Hansen), juicy (Beach; Hansen; Thomas). Flavor mild subacid to nearly sweet (Beach); pleasant subacid (Hansen); sub-acid (Thomas). Quality good (Beach; Hansen).

Core and Seeds

Core regular, closed, outline distinctly defined (Hansen). Calyx tube rather broad but very short (Hansen). Seeds plump (Hansen).

Season

August (Beach; Hansen). Early autumn (Thomas).

Uses

Table or kitchen (Hansen). Beach notes that the variety does not appear to be worthy of the attention of New York fruit growers.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 3 period pomological works

View original book sources (3)

BELBORODOOSKOE.

References. 1. Gibb, Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1887:155. No. 37. 2. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 8:349. 1889. 3. Beach, Ib., 12:599. 1893. 4. Thomas, 1897:265, fig. 5. Hansen, S. D. Sta. Bul., 76:29. 1902.

Synonyms. Belborodooskoe (2, 3). Bellerdovskoe (4, 5). Bielborodovskoe (1). White Borodovka (1).

A Russian apple, medium to large, pale greenish-yellow, sometimes blushed, coarse, rather juicy, mild subacid to nearly sweet, good; season August. It does not appear to be worthy the attention of New York fruit growers.

— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)

Bellerdovskoe—Origin, Russia—Fruit large, round, as regular as if turned in a lathe, somewhat truncated; surface smooth, greenish yellow, rarely a little bronzed in the sun; dots large, white, suffused, numerous; cavity regular, acute, with irregular patch of russet; stem short to medium; basin wide, shallow, corrugated around the calyx; calyx large, closed, segments generally small. Core regular, closed, outline distinctly defined; tube rather broad but very short; seeds plump; flesh white, firm, juicy, pleasant subacid. Quality good. Use, table or kitchen. Season, August.

— N.E. Hansen, A Study of Northwestern Apples (1902)

Bellerdovskoe. Large, round, regular, smooth; greenish yellow, bronzed in the sun; cavity regular, acute; stem short, basin wide, shallow; flesh white, juicy, sub-acid, good. Early autumn. Fig. 396. Russian.

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

Bellerdovskoe Bielborodovskoe White Borodovka