Elizabeth Maury
PearElizabeth Maury
Origin/History
A chance seedling found on the grounds of Reuben Maury, Charlottesville, Virginia (Downing spells the location "Charlottsville"), and named after his granddaughter, Elizabeth Maury. Downing's description dates to at least 1876, as cited by Hedrick (Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, 2nd Appendix, p. 147, 1876).
Tree
Vigorous; an abundant bearer. (Downing only; not described in Hedrick.)
Fruit
Size and form: Small, oblate, slightly elevated.
Stem: Short to medium. (Downing only.)
Cavity: Small. (Downing only.)
Calyx: Small, open or half open. (Downing only.)
Basin: Rather small, slightly plaited. (Downing only.)
Skin: Pale greenish yellow, sometimes with a shade of brown in the sun; many greenish dots.
Flesh/Flavor: Whitish, half fine (Downing) / semi-fine (Hedrick — the two sources use variant translations of the same term), tender, juicy, melting, sweet, slightly vinous.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
August.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in 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)Elizabeth Maury.
A chance seedling on the ground of Reuben Maury, Charlottsville Virginia, and named after his grand-daughter, Elizabeth Maury; tree vigorous; an abundant bearer.
Fruit small, oblate, slightly elevated; skin pale greenish yellow, sometimes a shade of brown in the sun, and many greenish dots; stalk short to medium; cavity small; calyx small, open or half open; basin rather small, slightly plaited; flesh whitish, half fine, tender, juicy, melting, sweet, slightly vinous. August.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Elizabeth Maury.
- Downing Fr. Trees Am. 2nd App., 147. 1876.
A chance seedling on the ground of Reuben Maury, Charlottesville, Va. Fruit small, oblate, slightly elevated, pale greenish-yellow, sometimes with a shade of brown in the sun, with many greenish dots; flesh whitish, semi-fine, tender, juicy, melting, sweet, slightly vinous; Aug.