Bezi Esperen
PearBezi Esperen
Origin/History
Obtained by Major Espéren of Mechlin, Belgium, about 1838. The variety appears in Mas, Le Verger (3:91, fig. 44, 1866–73) and Leroy, Dict. Pom. (1:271, fig., 1867).
Tree
A moderate grower and good bearer (Downing). Young wood olive brown (Downing). Not further described in sources.
Fruit
Size and Form: Downing describes the fruit as large, roundish obtuse pyriform. Hedrick gives the size as medium to large, and notes the form is variable, ranging from long turbinate-obtuse-pyriform to obovate-pyriform, with a contorted outline.
Skin: Downing describes the skin as dull yellow, sprinkled and patched with russet, and thickly covered with russet dots. Hedrick describes it as greenish-yellow, dotted all over with bright russet, and occasionally washed with a deep tinge of red.
Stem: Rather long and stout, inserted by a ring or lip, at an inclination, in a small, irregular cavity (Downing).
Cavity: Small and irregular (Downing).
Calyx: Open, set in a deep, acute basin surrounded by russet (Downing).
Basin: Deep and acute, surrounded by russet (Downing).
Flesh and Flavor: Flesh white, buttery, melting, juicy, sugary, and perfumed, rated first quality (Hedrick). Downing describes the flesh as juicy with a sprightly vinous flavor, rated Good.
Core/Seeds: Not described in sources.
Season
Downing gives October–November; Hedrick gives November–December. The fruit does not keep long (Hedrick).
Uses
Not described in sources.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in sources.
Other
Not described in sources.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— 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.