Christmas

Origin/History

Origin: Russia. The variety has been noted as doing well in Minnesota. The selection grown under the number 310 by Mitchell, Peterson, Green, and others was determined to be the true Christmas (Hansen, 1902; Budd & Hansen, 1914). A description under the designation "Rus. Nom. Com." (Russian Nomenclature Committee) is included among the Christmas Group entries in Hansen (1902). Hansen (1902) further notes apparent identity between Christmas and the varieties known as Sumnoi, Calville, and Crooked Spike.

Tree

Not described in source.

Fruit

Size: Medium (Hansen, 1902; Budd & Hansen, 1914). The Russian Nomenclature Committee description gives size as 11 (Hansen, 1902).

Form: Roundish conical to oblong oval, sometimes obscurely three-sided, often oblique (Hansen, 1902; Budd & Hansen, 1914). The Russian Nomenclature Committee description characterizes the form as round, conical, often oblique and slightly angular (Hansen, 1902). The Crooked Spike entry — noted by Hansen as apparently identical to Christmas — gives the form as oblong conical, often pointed (Hansen, 1902).

Stem: Long (Hansen, 1902 main entry; Budd & Hansen, 1914). The Russian Nomenclature Committee description gives the stem as medium (Hansen, 1902). The Crooked Spike entry gives the stem as long and stout (Hansen, 1902).

Cavity: Narrow and acute, with a little russet (Hansen, 1902 main entry; Budd & Hansen, 1914). The Russian Nomenclature Committee description gives the cavity as medium, rather narrow (Hansen, 1902). The Crooked Spike entry gives the cavity as wide and shallow (Hansen, 1902) — conflicting with the main Christmas descriptions.

Calyx: Closed (Hansen, 1902; Budd & Hansen, 1914). The Russian Nomenclature Committee description specifies closed on a flush wrinkled or narrow ribbed surface (Hansen, 1902).

Basin: Flat or nearly so, with ribs, wrinkles, and protuberances around the eye (Hansen, 1902 main entry). Budd & Hansen (1914) describe the basin similarly, noting that when flat, it has protuberances around the eye. The Crooked Spike entry gives the basin as flat, with many raised prominences and corrugations around the eye (Hansen, 1902).

Skin: Surface yellow, with bright crimson stripes and splashes on the sunny side, often nearly covering the whole surface; when the crimson covers nearly the whole surface, described as a beautiful fruit (Hansen, 1902 main entry; Budd & Hansen, 1914). The Russian Nomenclature Committee description gives the color as yellow with red stripes at the base and deep clear red towards the eye (Hansen, 1902). The Crooked Spike entry — noted as apparently identical to Christmas — gives the surface as greenish yellow, covered with a thin whitish net-veining; on the sunny side splashed and striped dull red; unctuous at full maturity; dots few, obscure, and whitish (Hansen, 1902). The surface coloration of Crooked Spike conflicts substantially with the main Christmas descriptions.

Flesh and Flavor: Flesh white, juicy, tender, subacid, very good (Hansen, 1902 main entry; Budd & Hansen, 1914). The Russian Nomenclature Committee description gives the flesh as white and fine-grained, with a pleasant acid flavor (Hansen, 1902). The Crooked Spike entry gives the flesh as snow-white, firm, juicy, rich, and subacid, rated very good (Hansen, 1902).

Core and Seeds: Not described in the main Christmas entries. The Crooked Spike entry gives the core as open, with roomy, round cells; tube conical; stamens marginal; seeds large (Hansen, 1902).

Season

Late fall (Hansen, 1902 main entry; Budd & Hansen, 1914). The Russian Nomenclature Committee description gives December as the season (Hansen, 1902). The Crooked Spike entry gives September and later (Hansen, 1902) — conflicting with the main Christmas descriptions.

Uses

Not stated in the main Christmas descriptions. The Crooked Spike entry (noted as apparently identical to Christmas) describes the fruit as suitable for table or kitchen use (Hansen, 1902).

Subtypes/Variants

Hansen (1902) groups Christmas under a "Christmas Group," noting that the variety grown as No. 310 by multiple growers (Mitchell, Peterson, Green, and others) was identified as the true Christmas. Hansen identifies Crooked Spike (No. 159 M.), as well as Sumnoi and Calville, as apparently identical to Christmas. The substantial conflicts between the Crooked Spike entry and the main Christmas descriptions — particularly in cavity character, surface color, and season — may indicate variation within the group or uncertainty in the identification.

Other

Christmas is listed as No. 310 in Hansen's numbering system. Crooked Spike is listed as No. 159 M. The Russian Nomenclature Committee description is reproduced within the Christmas Group section of Hansen (1902).