Congress Pomologique

Congress Pomologique

Origin/History

Originated with M. Boisbunel at Rouen, France. The two sources disagree on the year: Downing gives 1856; Hedrick gives 1854. Hedrick cites Leroy's Dictionnaire de Pomologie (1867) and Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1869) as early references.

Tree

Vigorous grower, with moderate-sized young shoots, long-jointed, and of a dull yellowish-brown color, with many rough specks. Productive. (Downing.)

Fruit

Size and form: The two sources disagree. Downing describes the fruit as medium and obtuse pyriform. Hedrick describes it as above medium, turbinate, globular and bossed.

Stem: Long, slender, with bracts. (Downing.)

Cavity: Shallow. (Downing.)

Calyx: Large, open; segments long, recurved. (Downing.)

Basin: Broad, shallow, uneven, russeted. (Downing.)

Skin: Rough. The two sources differ slightly on color: Downing describes it as greenish yellow with traces of yellow, sprinkled with brown dots; Hedrick describes it as olive-yellow, slightly dotted with brown, more or less clouded with pale red on the cheek next the sun.

Flesh and flavor: Both sources agree the flesh is melting and juicy. Downing describes the color as whitish; Hedrick as yellowish-white. On flavor, Downing says sweet and pleasant; Hedrick describes it as sugary and acidulous, with a pleasant flavor of musk. Flesh texture described by Hedrick as fine.

Quality: Downing rates it Good to Very Good. Hedrick rates it First.

Season

The sources disagree slightly on ripening window: Downing gives October–November; Hedrick gives November–December.

Uses

Not described in sources.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in sources.