Directeur Alphand
PearDirecteur Alphand
Origin and History
Introduced in 1880 by Messrs. Croux and Son of Chatenay, Seine, France.
Fruit
Size and Form: Very large, oblong-pyriform.
Skin: Yellowish-green passing into golden-green, dotted and splashed with red.
Flesh: White, semi-fine; gritty toward the center; sugary.
Quality and Character: Very good for ornament and stewing.
Season
Ripens February to March.
Note on source: Hedrick's description is brief and does not include tree characteristics (growth habit, foliage, bearing behavior) or detailed fruit anatomy (stem length, cavity form, calyx configuration, basin character). The flesh description implies a firm, cooking pear suitable for culinary use. The color progression from yellowish-green to golden-green with red spotting and the late ripening season (Feb.–Mar.) are key identifying features.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 8 catalogs (1894–1917) from England, Oregon, Washington
- Woodburn Nurseries , Woodburn, Marion Co. , Oregon — 1894
- Island Nurseries & Fruit Farm , Vashon (Vashon Island) , Washington — 1910
- Island Nurseries & Fruit Farm , Vashon (Vashon Island) , Washington — 1911
- James Veitch & Sons , Ltd., Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, London (also Coombe Wood, Langley, and Feltham) , England — 1911
- Island Nurseries & Fruit Farm , Vashon (Vashon Island) , Washington — 1914
- Island Nurseries & Fruit Farm , Vashon (Vashon Island) , Washington — 1915
- Island Nurseries & Fruit Farm , Vashon (Vashon Island) , Washington — 1916
- Island Nurseries & Fruit Farm , Vashon (Vashon Island) , Washington — 1917
View original book sources (1)
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Directeur Alphand.
- Card. Chron. N. S. 17:538. 1882. 2. Guide Prat. 54. 1895.
Sent out in 1880 by Messrs. Croux and Son, Chatenay, Seine, Fr. Fruit very large, oblong-pyriform, yellowish-green passing into golden-green, dotted and splashed with red; flesh white, semi-fine, generally gritty toward the center, sugary; very good for ornament and stewing; Feb. and Mar.