Brabant Bellflower
AppleBrabant Bellflower
Origin/History
A variety from Holland. Known also as Brabant Belle-fleur and Iron Apple.
Tree
Habit spreading. Requires to be grafted high to make a good head.
Fruit
Size and Form: Large, roundish oblong, slightly ribbed.
Stem: Not described in source.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Large.
Basin: Pretty wide, irregular.
Skin: Pale yellow, much striped with red.
Flesh/Flavor: Flesh firm, juicy, with a rich, pleasant, subacid flavor. Quality rated Good.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Downing gives October to January. Thomas gives late autumn. These are consistent: late autumn for harvest, with the fruit keeping through January in storage.
Uses
Valuable for cooking.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Brabant Bellflower.
Brabant Belle-fleur. Iron Apple.
The Brabant Belle-fleur is a variety from Holland. The habit of the tree is spreading, and it requires to be grafted high to make a good head.
Fruit large, roundish oblong, slightly ribbed. Skin pale yellow, much striped with red. Calyx large, set in a pretty wide, irregular basin. Flesh firm, juicy, with a rich, pleasant, subacid flavor. Good. Valuable for cooking. October to January.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Brabant Bellflower. Large, roundish-oblong, striped; rich, sub-acid. Late autumn. Holland.