Citron
PearCitron
Origin / History
An American variety, a native of New Haven, Conn. (Elliott). A seedling of the late Governor Edwards (Downing). Hedrick's references for it are the Magazine of Horticulture (4:231, 1838) and Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (720, 1869).
Tree
A vigorous, upright grower, producing large crops, but inclined to rot at the core (Downing).
Fruit
Size: Small, though Elliott calls it medium.
Form: Roundish to nearly globular, approaching turbinate (Downing); Elliott gives it as roundish obovate.
Stem: Short, rather stout (Downing).
Cavity: Abrupt, uneven (Downing).
Calyx: Closed (Downing).
Basin: Broad, shallow, irregular (Downing).
Skin: Greenish, slightly shaded with dull crimson (Downing); dull green (Elliott).
Dots: Small, russety, sprinkled over the surface (Elliott).
Flesh and flavor: Greenish, or greenish white (Elliott). A little coarse to coarse. Juicy, melting, sugary, vinous, with a musky perfume. Downing rates it "good"; Elliott rates it "very good."
Core and seeds: Inclined to rot at the core (Downing).
Season
August and September. Downing gives the middle of August to the middle of September; Elliott gives the last of August.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 4 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 1 catalog (1849) from Massachusetts
- Hovey & Co. , Cambridge , Massachusetts — 1849
View original book sources (4)
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Citron.
American. Native of New Haven, Conn. Fruit, medium, roundish obovate, dull green, sprinkled with small russety dots ; flesh, a little coarse, greenish white, melting, juicy ; "very good." Last August.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Citron.
A seedling of the late Governor Edwards, a vigorous, upright grower, producing large crops, but inclined to rot at the core.
Fruit small, nearly globular, approaching turbinate. Stalk short, rather stout, set in an abrupt, uneven cavity. Calyx closed. Basin broad, shallow, irregular. Skin greenish, slightly shaded with dull crimson. Flesh greenish, rather coarse, juicy, melting, sugary, vinous, with a musky perfume. Good. Ripe from middle of August to middle of September.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Citron. Small, roundish, greenish; coarse; juicy, vinous, musky. August, September.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Citron. 1. Mag. Hort. 4:231. 1838. 2. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 720. 1869.
A seedling of the late Governor Edwards. Fruit small, globular-turbinate, greenish, shaded with dull crimson; flesh greenish, rather coarse, juicy, melting, sugary, vinous, musky; good; Aug. and Sept.