Brilliant
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Brilliant
Origin/History
Brilliant originated with Lindsay F. Thomas, near Portsmouth, Ohio. The tree is much esteemed in the neighborhood of its origin. According to a 1963 USDA ARS survey of apple clones, Brilliant is a seedling of Fameuse, with one accession (station accession number A49105) received from Sherman Nursery Co., Charles City, Iowa, as reported by the U.S. Horticultural Field Station, P.O. Box 1250, Cheyenne, Wyoming. A second accession was received from Cheyenne, Wyoming, with station number 11607, as reported by the Northern Great Plains Field Station, Box 203, Mandan, North Dakota; no comments were recorded for this second accession.
Tree
Vigorous, rather spreading. An early and good bearer annually.
Fruit
Size and Form
Medium to large, oblate, slightly angular, sometimes a little oblique.
Stem
Short, rather small.
Cavity
Large, deep, often slightly russeted.
Calyx
Large, open.
Basin
Large, broad, deep, slightly corrugated.
Skin
Pale yellow, somewhat waxen, a shade of pale red where exposed, with a few grayish dots.
Flesh and Flavor
White, a little coarse, tender, juicy, pleasant subacid.
Core and Seeds
Core small.
Season
October to January.
Uses
Not described in source.
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)Brilliant.
Originated with Lindsay F. Thomas, near Portsmouth, Ohio, tree vigorous, rather spreading; an early and good bearer annually; much esteemed in the neighborhood of its origin.
Fruit medium to large, oblate, slightly angular, sometimes a little oblique; skin pale yellow, somewhat waxen, a shade of pale red where exposed, and a few grayish dots; stalk short, rather small; cavity large, deep, often slightly russeted; calyx large, open; basin large, broad, deep, slightly corrugated; flesh white, a little coarse, tender, juicy, pleasant subacid; core small. October, January.
— H.H. Fisher (USDA ARS), A Survey of Apple Clones in the United States (1963)Brilliant is a seedling of Fameuse, received from Sherman Nur. Co., Charles City, Ia., with station accession number A49105, as reported by the U.S. Horticultural Field Station, P.O. Box 1250, Cheyenne, Wyoming. A second accession was received from Cheyenne, Wyoming, with station number 11607, as reported by the Northern Great Plains Field Station, Box 203, Mandan, North Dakota; no comments were recorded for this accession.