Duchesse de Mars
PearDuchesse de Mars
Origin/History
Downing (1900) describes this as a French pear, first described in 1850 by M. Prevost in Album Pomologie. Hedrick (1921) gives the origin as uncertain, but generally attributed to Belgium, citing Leroy Dict. Pom. 2:110, fig. 1869, and Hogg Fruit Man. 570, 1884. The variety was also known as Comtesse de Lumay (Downing).
Tree
Hardy, with rather slender branches. Young wood very dark reddish yellow brown (Downing). Not further described in Hedrick.
Fruit
Size: Medium or below (Downing); medium (Hedrick).
Form: Oblong obovate, obtuse pyriform (Downing); obovate but variable (Hedrick).
Stem: Short, set in a rather deep cavity (Downing).
Cavity: Rather deep (Downing). Not described in Hedrick.
Calyx: Not described in either source.
Basin: Not described in either source.
Skin: Downing describes the skin as yellowish brown, with considerable russet and russet specks. Hedrick describes it as yellowish-green, russeted. Both agree on prominent russeting; the two sources differ on ground color (yellowish brown vs. yellowish-green).
Flesh/Flavor: Whitish (Downing) / white (Hedrick); melting, juicy, sweet (both sources). Downing adds vinous; Hedrick adds buttery and perfumed. Downing rates it Very Good; Hedrick rates it first-class dessert pear.
Core/Seeds: Core small (Downing). Not described in Hedrick.
Season
October–November (Downing); November (Hedrick).
Uses
First-class dessert pear (Hedrick).
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in either source.
Other
Not described in either source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Duchesse de Mars.
Comtesse de Lumay.
A French Pear, first described in 1850, by M. Prevost, in Album Pomologie. Tree hardy, branches rather slender. Young wood very dark reddish yellow brown.
Fruit medium or below, oblong obovate, obtuse pyriform, yellowish brown, with considerable russet and russet specks. Stalk short, set in a rather deep cavity. Flesh whitish, melting, juicy, sweet, vinous. Very good. Core small. October, November.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Duchesse de Mars. i. Leroy Diet. Pom. 2:110, fig. 1869. 2. Hogg Fruit Man. 570. 1884. Origin uncertain; generally attributed to Belgium. Fruit medium, obovate but variable, yellowish-green, russeted; flesh buttery, white, melting, juicy, sweet, perfumed, well flavored; first class dessert pear; Nov.