Bezi Esperen
PearBezi Esperen
Origin / History
Raised by Major Esperen (Downing); obtained by Major Espéren, Mechlin, Bel., about 1838 (Hedrick). Listed as foreign by Elliott (1865). Hedrick cites Mas, Le Verger 3:91, fig. 44 (1866-73), and Leroy, Dict. Pom. 1:271, fig. (1867).
Tree
Moderate grower; good bearer. Young wood olive brown (Downing).
Fruit
Size: Large; medium to large (Hedrick).
Form: Elongated pyriform (Elliott); roundish obtuse pyriform (Downing); varying from long turbinate-obtuse-pyriform to obovate-pyriform, with contorted outline (Hedrick).
Stem: Rather long, stout, inserted by a ring or lip, at an inclination.
Cavity: Small, irregular.
Calyx: Open; small (Elliott).
Basin: Deep to very deep (Elliott), acute, surrounded by russet.
Skin: Dull yellow, sprinkled and patched with russet; greenish yellow, occasionally washed with a deep tinge of red (Hedrick).
Dots: Thickly covering the skin, russet; bright russet, dotted all over (Hedrick).
Flesh and flavor: Juicy, with a sprightly, vinous flavor. Flesh white, buttery, melting, juicy, sugary, perfumed (Hedrick). Quality "Good" (Downing); "first" (Hedrick).
Core and seeds: Not described in source.
Season
October to December: October and November (Elliott, Downing); November and December (Hedrick). Does not keep long (Hedrick).
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
- Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)
- Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865) — listed as Bezy d'Esperen
- Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921) — listed as Besi Espéren
View original book sources (3)
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Bezy d'Esperen.
Foreign. Tree, a moderate grower ; good bearer. Fruit, large, elongated pyriform ; skin, dull yellow, sprinkled, and patched with russet, and thickly covered with russet dots ; stalk, rather long, stout, inserted by a ring or lip at an inclination, in a small, irregular cavity; calyx, small, open, set in a very deep, acute basin, surrounded by russet ; flesh, juicy, with a sprightly, vinous flavor. October, November.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Bezi Esperen.
Bezy d'Esperen. Besi Esperen.
Raised by Major Esperen. Tree a moderate grower and good bearer. Young wood olive brown.
Fruit large, roundish obtuse pyriform. Skin dull yellow, sprinkled and patched with russet, and thickly covered with russet dots. Stalk rather long, stout, inserted by a ring or lip, at an inclination, in a small, irregular cavity. Calyx open, set in a deep, acute basin, surrounded by russet. Flesh juicy, with a sprightly vinous flavor. Good. October, November.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Besi Espéren.
i. Mas Le Verger 3:91, fig. 44. 1866-73. 2. Leroy Dict. Pom. 1:271, fig. 1867.
Obtained by Major Espéren, Mechlin, Bel., about 1838. Fruit medium to large; form varies from long turbinate-obtuse-pyriform to obovate-pyriform, with contorted outline, greenish-yellow, dotted all over with bright russet and occasionally washed with a deep tinge of red; flesh white, buttery, melting, juicy, sugary, perfumed; first, but does not keep long; Nov. and Dec.