Black Annette
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Origin & History
An old American variety, considerably grown in some parts of the Eastern States, particularly in some sections of New York (Downing, Beach). By the early 1900s it was practically obsolete in New York (Beach). In 1886, a variety under this name was introduced from Marietta, Ohio, into Northern Iowa, where it proved very hardy. Because of its hardiness it was considered worthy of attention in the Northwest (Beach). Beach notes that the Iowa introduction, which keeps through the winter and into the spring, may be distinct from the Eastern variety described here, which is a late fall apple. Elliott identifies it simply as American.
Tree
A good bearer (Downing). Very hardy in Northern Iowa (Beach). Other tree characteristics not described in source.
Fruit
Size: Rather small (Beach); medium to small (Downing); small (Elliott).
Form: Roundish.
Stem: Not described in source.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Dark red.
Flesh & Flavor: Flesh white, tender, negative in character, pleasant. Quality good (Downing).
Core & Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
November and December. The Iowa strain keeps through the winter and into the spring (Beach), which Beach considers evidence that it may be a distinct variety from the Eastern late fall apple.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes & Variants
Beach discusses a possible second, distinct variety under the same name: the Eastern/New York Black Annette is a late fall apple (November–December), while the variety introduced from Marietta, Ohio, to Northern Iowa in 1886 keeps through the winter into spring and is notably hardy. Beach considers these likely distinct varieties.
Book Sources
Described in 4 period pomological works
View original book sources (4)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Black Annette.
An old variety, considerably grown in some parts of the Eastern States. Tree a good bearer. Fruit medium, small, roundish, dark red. Flesh white, tender, negative in character, pleasant. Good. November, December.
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 1 (1905)BLACK ANNETTE.
REFERENCES. 1. Hansen, S. D. Sta. Bul., 76:30. 1902.
A variety which in 1886 was introduced under this name from Marietta, O., into Northern Iowa has proved very hardy there. Because of its hardiness it is considered worthy of attention in the Northwest (1). Its season extends into the spring. Possibly it is distinct from the Black Annette formerly grown in some parts of New York, which is a late fall apple.
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)BLACK ANNETTE.
REFERENCES. 1. Elliott, 1854:167. 2. ? Warder, 1867:713. 3. Downing, 1869:99.
SYNONYMS. None.
A rather small dark red apple formerly grown to a limited extent in some sections of New York and other Eastern states. Season November and December. It is now practically obsolete here. The Black Annette mentioned by Hansen when grown in Central Iowa keeps through the winter which indicates that it is distinct from the variety here described. See Vol. I.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)BLACK ANNETTE.
American. Small, roundish, dark red. November.