Bishop's Thumb
PearBishop's Thumb
Origin / History
A long, oddly-shaped English pear, known in England for many years and generally considered to be a native of that country. First described by Diel in 1804. Referenced by Parkinson (Paradisi Terrestris, 1629), the American Pomological Society Report (1854), Leroy's Dictionnaire de Pomologie (1867), and Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1869). An old variety often found in orchards but, according to Bunyard, of no special merit. It was placed on the list of rejected fruits by the American Pomological Society, though rated as an excellent dessert pear by some. The curious growth of flesh up one side of the stem is supposed by Bunyard to be the origin of its name.
Tree
Hardy and a very abundant bearer (Hedrick). Growth vigorous, makes a good standard; fertility good (Bunyard). Leaf elliptical, nearly flat, finely serrate (Bunyard).
Fruit
Size: Rather large; Bunyard gives dimensions of 2½ by 5 inches, and notes the variety is variable.
Form: Oblong, narrow, pyriform, tapering irregularly, and undulating (Downing, Hedrick); conic oblong (Thomas); long calebasse form, even (Bunyard).
Stem: Long and woody, continued, generally at an angle, the flesh growing higher up the stem on one side (Bunyard). Hedrick describes the stalk as attached with no depression.
Cavity: Not described in source (Hedrick states the stalk is attached with no depression).
Calyx / Eye: Calyx small, open (Hedrick); eye wide open, almost on level (Bunyard).
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Dark yellowish-green with a russet-red cheek (Downing, Thomas, Hedrick); covered with numerous large, russety dots (Hedrick). Bunyard describes the skin as a little rough, pale yellow with a bright scarlet flush.
Flesh / Flavor: Juicy, melting, with a vinous flavor, somewhat astringent (Downing, Thomas). Hedrick: greenish-yellow, melting, juicy, vinous; rated good to very good. Bunyard: palest yellow, fine grained, a little melting, slightly perfumed, very juicy. Quality is variable; rated "Good" by Downing.
Core / Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
October (Downing, Thomas, Hedrick); October to November (Bunyard).
Uses
Dessert (Bunyard).
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Color and quality are noted as variable across sources.
Book Sources
Described in 4 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 1 catalog (1911) from England
- James Veitch & Sons , Ltd., Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, London (also Coombe Wood, Langley, and Feltham) , England — 1911
View original book sources (4)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Bishop's Thumb.
A long, oddly shaped English Pear.
Fruit rather large, oblong and narrow, and tapering irregularly. Skin dark yellowish green, having a russet red cheek. Flesh juicy, melting, with a vinous flavor, somewhat astringent. Good. October.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Bishop Thumb, i. Parkinson Par. Ter. 592. 1629. 2. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt. 237. 1854. 3. Leroy Dict. Pom. 1:441, figs. 1867. 4. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 702. 1869.
A long, oddly-shaped English pear of variable color and quality, rated as an excellent dessert pear by some; placed on the list of rejected fruits by the American Pomological Society. Tree hardy, very abundant bearer. Fruit rather large, oblong, narrow, pyriform, undulating; color dark yellowish-green, covered with numerous large, russety dots and having a russet-red cheek; calyx small, open; stalk attached with no depression; flesh greenish-yellow, melting, juicy, vinous; good to very good; Oct.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Bishop's Thumb. Rather large, conic oblong, yellowish-green, with a russet cheek; juicy, melting, vinous, slightly astringent. October. English.
— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)BISHOP'S THUMB. Her. Pom. II., 42. F. Pousse de l'Evêque. Dessert, October to November, variable 2½ by 5, long calebasse form, even. Skin, a little rough. Colour, pale yellow with bright scarlet flush. Flesh, palest yellow, fine grained, a little melting, slightly perfumed, very juicy. Eye, wide open almost on level. Stem, long and woody, continued, generally at angle the flesh growing higher up the stem one side. Growth, vigorous, makes a good standard ; fertility good. Leaf, elliptical, nearly flat, finely serrate. Origin, this has been known in England for many years and is generally considered to be a native. First described by Diel in 1804. An old variety often found in orchards but of no special merit. The curious growth of flesh up one side of the stem is, I suppose, the origin of its name.