CARDINAL
AppleCARDINAL
Origin/History
A Russian variety from Riga, originally called Kiarolkowski. It was introduced to England around 1880 and was also imported under the name Peter the Great (and as Pierre le Grand).
Tree
The tree exhibits sturdy, upright growth and is fertile. Leaves are pale, upfolded with downward curves, and very minutely serrate.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium to large, approximately 3 by 2½ inches, with a conical, regular shape.
Skin: Pale, creamy white ground color with a pinkish flush and broad stripes.
Flesh and Flavor: Soft, white, and juicy, with a remarkably sweet and aromatic flavor.
Stem and Cavity: Stem short and thick, set in a narrow and deep cavity.
Calyx and Basin: Eye closed in an even and shallow basin.
Core and Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Mid-August to September.
Uses
Dessert variety.
Other
Described as "a most attractive early fruit, worth growing if only for its beauty."
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
USDA Nomenclature (1905)
From W.H. Ragan, Nomenclature of the Apple, USDA Bulletin No. 56
Originated in Dallas County
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 3 catalogs (1894–1900) from England
- The Vineland Nurseries (Kelsey & Co. , Proprietors), St. Joseph, Missouri (Office: 13th and Atchison Sts., 2 Blocks East of the Citizens St. Car Line) — 1894 — listed as Peter the Great
- George Bunyard & Co. , Royal Nurseries, Maidstone, Kent , England — 1900
- Central Experimental Farm , Dominion Department of Agriculture, Agassiz, British Columbia (under test; Bulletin No. 3, Second Series) — 1900
View original book sources (1)
— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)CARDINAL. F., Pierre le Grand. (Peter the Great, Kiarolowski.) Dessert, mid-August-September, medium to large, 3 by 2½, conical, regular. Colour, pale, creamy white, pinkish flush with broad stripes. Flesh, soft, white, juicy, remarkably sweet and aromatic. Eye, closed in an even and shallow basin. Stem, short and thick, in a narrow and deep cavity. Growth, sturdy, upright; fertile. Leaf, pale, upfolded, down curved, very minutely serrate. Origin, a Russian variety from Riga, called Kiarolkowski introduced to England about 1880. It was also imported under the name of Peter the Great. A most attractive early fruit, worth growing if only for its beauty.