Esturion
PearEsturion
Origin/History
A foreign variety of unknown origin. Cited by Downing (1869) and Mas, Pom. Gen. (1880).
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size: Small to rather small (both sources agree).
Form: Downing describes the shape as obovate pyriform. Hedrick describes it as conic. These accounts conflict and may reflect different specimens or strains.
Stem: Not described in source.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Both sources agree the fruit is yellow at maturity, with color on the sun-exposed side. Downing describes it as yellow shaded with crimson in the sun, with russet around the calyx. Hedrick describes the ground color as pale green changing to yellow, tinged with light red on the side of the sun; he does not mention russet.
Flesh/Flavor: The two sources conflict substantially. Downing describes the flesh as white, coarse, not juicy, and hardly good. Hedrick describes the flesh as yellowish, fine, and melting, with juice abundant, sweet, and perfumed.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
September (Downing). Hedrick gives no season.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
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)Esturion.
A foreign variety.
Fruit small, obovate pyriform, yellow, shaded with crimson in the sun, russet around the calyx. Flesh white, coarse, not juicy, hardly good. September.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Esturion.
- Downing Fr. Trees Am. 759. 1869.
- Mas Pom. Gen. 6:41, fig. 405. 1880.
Origin unknown. Fruit rather small, conic, pale green changing to yellow, tinged with light red on the side of the sun; flesh yellowish, fine, melting; juice abundant, sweet and perfumed.