Christiana

Apple

Christiana

Origin/History

Originated on the premises of John R. Brinckle, near Wilmington, Delaware. Elliott's account cites "(Int. Rep.)" as a source, suggesting early documentation in an illustrated horticultural report.

Tree

Not described in source.

Fruit

Size: Medium.

Form: Conflicting accounts. Downing describes the fruit as oblate. Elliott describes it as roundish, inclining to conical. These characterizations are substantially at odds and may reflect variation between specimens or strains.

Stem: Half an inch long, inserted in a deep, rather narrow cavity. (Elliott)

Cavity: Deep, rather narrow. (Elliott)

Calyx: Partially closed. (Elliott)

Basin: Deep, moderately wide, and plaited. (Elliott)

Skin: Both sources agree on a striped, mottled appearance over a yellow or yellowish ground. Downing describes splashes and stripes of rich crimson red over a yellow ground. Elliott describes the skin as beautifully striped and mottled with carmine on a yellowish ground.

Flesh/Flavor: Flesh yellowish white (both sources agree). Elliott notes fine texture. Downing describes the flesh as moderately juicy; Elliott describes it simply as juicy. Both sources note a sprightly quality. Downing characterizes the flavor as mild and subacid. Elliott adds pleasant, delicate, and vinous to the flavor profile.

Quality: Downing rates it Good to very good. Elliott rates it Very good.

Season

November.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 2 period pomological works

View original book sources (2)

Christiana.

Origin, on the premises of John R. Brinckle, near Wilmington, Del.

Fruit medium, oblate, splashes and stripes of rich crimson red over a yellow ground. Flesh yellowish white, moderately juicy, sprightly, mild, subacid. Good to very good. November.

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Christiana.

Origin, on the premises of John R. Brinckle, near Wilmington, Delaware. Size, medium, roundish, inclining to conical ; skin, beautifully striped, and mottled with carmine on a yellowish ground : stem, half an inch long, inserted in a deep, rather narrow cavity ; calyx, partially closed, set in a deep, moderately wide, plaited basin; flesh, yellowish white, fine texture, juicy; flavor, pleasant, delicate, sprightly, vinous, quality "very good." November. (Int. Rep.)

— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)