British Queen

British Queen

Origin/History

British Queen is an English pear raised from seed of Marie Louise at Frogmore. Hedrick names the raiser as Thomas Ingram; Bunyard identifies him as M. Ingram of the Royal Gardens, Windsor. It was first distributed in 1863, as recorded in the Florist and Pomologist. Bunyard records that it was naturally considered by the Prince Consort to be the best of all pears. By 1920 this old variety was only occasionally met with.

Tree

Growth is vigorous. Downing describes the young wood as very strong, clear rich reddish brown. Bunyard notes fertility as moderate. Leaves are medium-sized, elliptical, and down-hanging (Bunyard).

Fruit

Size and Form

Fruit is large. Bunyard gives dimensions of approximately 4 inches tall by 3 inches wide. Downing and Hedrick describe the form as obovate-pyriform with a bossed, undulating outline. Bunyard gives a conflicting characterization, describing the form as round conical and even.

Stem

The stem is stout. Bunyard gives its length as approximately 1 inch. Downing notes it is obliquely inserted in a round, narrow cavity; Bunyard likewise describes it as set in a narrow cavity.

Calyx/Basin

The calyx segments are rather small, short, and narrow (Downing). Bunyard describes the eye as very small and closed, set in an even, rather deep basin.

Skin

The skin is smooth, almost entirely or much covered with a thin coat of cinnamon-colored russet (Downing, Hedrick). Bunyard describes the russet covering as very smooth and the underlying ground color as pale brownish yellow; Hedrick characterizes the ground color as golden. On the side next the sun, Downing notes a blush of rosy crimson and Hedrick describes that side as encrimsoned, while Bunyard records only an occasional slight flush — indicating variability in the intensity of the sun-side coloration.

Flesh and Flavor

The flesh is yellowish white (Downing, Hedrick) to pale yellow (Bunyard), very fine-grained, buttery, melting, rich, and sugary. Hedrick adds that the flavor closely resembles that of the Marie Louise. Bunyard characterizes the flavor as sweet and brisk.

Core/Seeds

Not described in source.

Season

October, with Downing extending the season into November.

Uses

Dessert (Bunyard). Hedrick rates the variety first quality.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Bunyard lists the French synonym as Reine d'Angleterre and the German as Britische Königin, and cites Florist and Pomologist (1863, p. 80) as the primary publication record.