Brabant Bellflower

Origin/History

Brabant Bellflower is a variety from Holland (listed as "Foreign" in Elliott). It has appeared in period literature also under the names Brabant Belle-fleur and Iron Apple, and is referenced under those alternate names in historical sources including Downing and Elliott.

Tree

The tree is of strong, vigorous growth with a spreading, irregular habit. Despite the irregularity of its natural growth, it is capable of making a good head. Downing notes that it requires to be grafted high in order to make a good head. Elliott similarly describes it as of "strong, irregular growth, making, however, a good head."

Fruit

Size and Form

Fruit large (Elliott specifies "above medium"), roundish oblong, slightly ribbed (Downing), and flattened at the ends (Elliott). Thomas concurs on the roundish-oblong form.

Stem

Not described in source.

Cavity

Not described in source.

Calyx

Calyx large. Set in a pretty wide, irregular basin (Downing). Elliott corroborates: calyx large, basin wide.

Basin

Wide (Elliott); pretty wide and irregular (Downing).

Skin

Pale yellow ground, much striped with red (Downing). Elliott describes the fruit as pale yellow, mostly covered with red, striped and splashed — indicating a heavier degree of red coverage than Downing's description suggests, though both sources agree on the pale yellow ground and red striping. Thomas notes simply "striped."

Flesh and Flavor

Flesh firm (both Downing and Elliott), crisp (Elliott). Juicy, with a rich, pleasant, subacid flavor (Downing). Elliott describes the flavor as sharp subacid. Thomas characterizes it as "rich, sub-acid." Quality rated "Good" by Downing.

Core and Seeds

Not described in source.

Season

Downing gives the season as October to January. Elliott gives November to January. Thomas places it in "late autumn." The discrepancy in the start of the season (October per Downing, November per Elliott) may reflect regional or climatic variation.

Uses

Valuable for cooking (noted by both Downing and Elliott).

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.