Copia
PearCopia
Origin / History
Copia is a Philadelphia seedling of American origin. Hedrick (1921) says it "originated about the middle of last century at Philadelphia." He gives as references McIntosh's Book of the Garden (2:455, 1855) and Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (571, 1857; 729, 1869). Elliott (1865) enters it under the spelling "Copea," with a further entry under "Copia" at p. 425.
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size: Large.
Form: Obovate acute pyriform (Elliott); broad-turbinate (Hedrick).
Stem: Not described in source.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Yellow.
Dots: Specks of russet (Hedrick).
Flesh and flavor: Rather coarse to coarse, but sugary. Thomas calls it rich, and Hedrick says it somewhat resembles the Beurré Diel in flavor. Downing rates it "Poor"; Hedrick rates it "good."
Core and seeds: Not described in source.
Season
September to October.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 4 period pomological works
View original book sources (4)
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)COPEA. American. Large, obovate acute pyriform, yellow. September, October.
[Additional entry in this volume: "Copia", pp. 425–425]
COPEA.
American. Large, obovate acute pyriform, yellow. September, October.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)COPIA.
A Philadelphia seedling.
Fruit large. Skin yellow. Flesh rather coarse, but sugary. Poor.
September to October.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Copia. Large, yellow; coarse; rich. October. Phila.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Copia.
- McIntosh Bk. Card. 2:455. 1855. 2. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 571. 1857. 3. Ibid. 729. 1869.
Originated about the middle of last century at Philadelphia. Fruit large, yellow, with specks of russet, broad-turbinate; flesh sugary, rather coarse, somewhat resembling the Beurré Diel in flavor; good; Sept. and Oct.