Élisa d'Heyst
PearÉlisa d'Heyst
Origin / History
Obtained by Major Espéren of Mechlin, Belgium, and introduced and described by him in 1844. Cited in Mas, Le Verger 1:99, fig. 56 (1866–73) and Leroy, Dict. Pom. 2:125, fig. (1869). Described as a French variety by Downing.
Tree
A good grower. Young wood olive yellow brown. Other characteristics not described in sources.
Fruit
Size and Form: Downing describes the fruit as medium size, obtuse pyriform. Hedrick describes it as small but sometimes medium, ovate, with an irregular outline.
Stem: Rather stout, often curved, set in a slight cavity with a lip (Downing). Not described by Hedrick.
Cavity: Slight, with a lip at the stem (Downing). Not described by Hedrick.
Calyx: Open; segments short, erect (Downing). Not described by Hedrick.
Basin: Small (Downing). Not described by Hedrick.
Skin: Downing describes the color as greenish yellow, with a shade of brown on the sun-exposed side, nettings and patches of russet, and many brown russet dots. Hedrick describes the skin as grass-green, dotted and stained with clear fawn.
Flesh and Flavor: The two sources diverge substantially. Downing describes the flesh as whitish, juicy, melting, sweet, pleasant, and aromatic, rating the fruit Good to Very Good. Hedrick describes the flesh as greenish, coarse, semi-melting, and very gritty around the core; the juice sweet, abundant, sugary, and slightly perfumed, but of little flavor, rating the fruit second quality.
Core / Seeds: Very gritty around the core (Hedrick). Not described by Downing.
Season
January to March (Downing). March (Hedrick).
Uses
Not described in sources.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in sources.
Other
Not described in sources.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Eliza d'Heyst.
A French variety, introduced and described by Major Esperen in 1844. Tree a good grower. Young wood olive yellow brown.
Fruit medium size, obtuse pyriform, greenish yellow, shade of brown in sun, nettings and patches of russet, many brown russet dots. Stalk rather stout, often curved, set in a slight cavity with a lip. Calyx open. Segments short, erect. Basin small. Flesh whitish, juicy, melting, sweet, pleasant, aromatic. Good to very good. January to March.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Élisa d'Heyst.
- Mas Le Verger 1:99, fig. 56. 1866-73. 2. Leroy Dict. Pom. 2:125, fig. 1869.
Obtained by Major Espéren of Mechlin, Bel. Fruit small but sometimes medium, ovate, with an irregular outline, grass-green, dotted and stained with clear fawn; flesh greenish, coarse, semi-melting, very gritty around the core; juice sweet, abundant, sugary, slightly perfumed, little flavor; second; Mar.