Gloria Mundi
AppleGloria Mundi
Origin / History
The exact place of origin of this apple is doubtful and disputed. It is generally believed to be of American origin, though some doubts have been raised. In 1804 Mease stated that "it originated on the farm of Mr. Crooks, near Red Hook in New York." Thirteen years later, in 1817, Coxe credited it with a Long Island, New York origin, stating it originated on Long Island, state of New-York. The Herefordshire Pomona reports the general opinion that it originated in the garden of a Mr. Smith in the neighbourhood of Baltimore. All that can be stated with certainty is that it is an old variety known in parts of Eastern New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania in the beginning of the nineteenth century, cultivated very generally in the states of the Northeast before 1804, since which time it has been widely distributed in the United States and Canada.
Some doubt has been raised as to whether it is a native of America at all. In the volume of the Allgemeines Teutsches Gartenmagazin for 1805, it is said to have been raised by Herr Kunstgartner Maizman, of Hanover. If this account is correct, the apple must have been taken to America by some of the Hanoverian emigrants, which would account for the claim of its origin by different localities there. Dittrich (vol. III, p. 41) confounded the synonyms of the Gloria Mundi with Golden Mundi, which he described under the head of Monstrous Pepping.
It was introduced from America into France by Comte Lelieur in 1804, and was brought over to England by Captain George Hudson, of the ship Belvidere, of Baltimore, in 1817. It was first recorded in America in 1804. It was also introduced into Herefordshire.
A clone was received from Hudson Nursery Co., Tangent, Oregon (Station No. A341286, reporting station NyC; USDA ARS, 1963), with the reported comment "Very large fruit."
Tree
Tree large, vigorous, spreading, hardy, and long-lived. Growth vigorous and upright (Bunyard). Leaf large, upcupped, undulating, boldly serrate (Bunyard).
Bearing habits are disputed. It has been commonly held to be unproductive — Downing (1900) states "Not productive or profitable"; Bunyard reports "fertility very poor" and "Too uncertain a cropper in most parts"; Hedrick describes it as "not very productive." However, Beach notes that a few fruit growers in Southeastern New York report that it is a good bearer and a profitable commercial variety. The Herefordshire Pomona states that "the tree grows freely, and bears abundantly." Coxe notes that its uncommon size subjects the fruit to be blown down, and to be stolen.
Fruit
Size: Fruit of the largest size — the largest of cultivated apples. Coxe reports weights from twenty to twenty-seven ounces. The Herefordshire Pomona reports it sometimes measuring four and a half inches in diameter. Bunyard gives dimensions as 4 by 3½ inches. Uniform in size (Beach, Hedrick).
Form: Roundish with truncate ends, slightly conical, ribbed; sides usually unequal (Beach, Hedrick). Roundish oblate, ribbed (Downing). Roundish, somewhat flattened at the ends, slightly angular or ribbed (Thomas). Of roundish shape, inclining to be angular on the sides, and flattened both at the base and apex (Herefordshire Pomona). Square conical, angular (Bunyard).
Stem/Stalk: Short and stout (Coxe, Herefordshire Pomona, Thomas); medium to short, moderately thick (Beach); short, thick (Hedrick); short (Bunyard).
Cavity: Large, acuminate, moderately deep to deep, broad, furrowed and compressed, sometimes slightly russeted (Beach, Hedrick). Deep cavity (Coxe). Deep and open, lined with rough russet (Herefordshire Pomona). Very wide and deep russet cavity (Bunyard).
Calyx/Eye: Eye very deep (Coxe). Eye large, open, and deeply set (Herefordshire Pomona). Calyx large (Thomas); medium to large, open or partly closed; lobes separated at base, short, narrow (Beach, Hedrick). Eye open (Bunyard).
Basin: Wide and slightly furrowed (Herefordshire Pomona). Wide, deep, somewhat ribbed, with an obtuse rim (Thomas). Large, moderately deep to deep, rather wide, somewhat abrupt, sometimes compressed, furrowed and wrinkled (Beach). Large, deep, wide, abrupt (Hedrick). Deep, wide, boldly ribbed (Bunyard).
Skin: When ripe, yellow, smooth, and full of white spots (Coxe). Smooth, pale yellowish green, interspersed with white dots, and patches of thin delicate russet, and tinged sometimes with a faint blush of red next the sun (Herefordshire Pomona). Greenish yellow (Downing, Elliott). Smooth, whitish green, becoming whitish yellow (Thomas). Greenish-yellow sometimes with faint bronze blush; prevailing effect yellow or greenish (Beach). Tough, smooth, greenish-yellow or yellow, sometimes with faint bronze blush; prevailing effect yellow (Hedrick). Grass-green, changing to straw-yellow (Bunyard). Dots small to medium, often areolar with russet center, or light colored and submerged (Beach, Hedrick).
Flesh / Flavor: White, juicy, tender, and sprightly (Coxe). White, tender, and juicy, but not highly flavoured (Herefordshire Pomona). Coarse, tender, with a pleasant acid flavor; "Good" (Downing). White, acid (Elliott). White, tender, rather coarse, sub-acid, not rich (Thomas). Slightly tinged with greenish-yellow, coarse, moderately crisp, rather tender, juicy, rather mild subacid, fair or nearly good in quality (Beach). Yellow, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, mild subacid; fair or good in quality (Hedrick). Tender, white, sub-acid (Bunyard). Coxe notes it is "very excellent for cooking, but has not sufficient flavour for a fine table fruit, and is not rich enough for cider." Bunyard notes "It cooks a brown colour, but is very sweet and rich."
Core and Seeds: Calyx tube very large, long, wide, broadly conical extending to core or approaching cylindrical below; stamens median. Core medium to rather large (Beach) / large (Hedrick), usually decidedly abaxile; cells symmetrical, open; core lines usually clasping. Carpels broadly roundish to somewhat elliptical, slightly tufted (Beach) / tufted (Hedrick). Seeds moderately dark brown (Beach) / dark brown (Hedrick), medium to rather small (Beach) / small (Hedrick), rather narrow, short, plump, obtuse to acute (Beach) / obtuse (Hedrick), sometimes tufted.
Season
October to January (Downing, Beach, Hedrick). October to December (Herefordshire Pomona). October, December (Elliott). Late autumn and early winter (Thomas). Culinary, till January (Bunyard).
Uses
Suitable only for culinary purposes; seldom cultivated except for exhibition (Beach). An excellent culinary apple (Herefordshire Pomona). A good cooking apple (Thomas). Very excellent for cooking, but has not sufficient flavour for a fine table fruit, and is not rich enough for cider (Coxe). Fit only for culinary uses (Hedrick). Cooks a brown colour, but is very sweet and rich (Bunyard). Coxe remarks: "It is not therefore a desirable apple beyond a few trees in a collection."
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 9 period pomological works
- Beach, The Apples of New York Vol. 2 (1905)
- Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)
- Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)
- The Herefordshire Pomona (1876–1885)
- Fisher, A Survey of Apple Clones in the United States (1963)
- Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)
- Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817) — listed as Monstrous Pippin
- Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865) — listed as Monstrous Pippin
- Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903) — listed as Monstrous Pippin
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 26 catalogs (1891–1936) from England, Illinois, Missouri, Oregon, Washington
- Missouri Nursery Co. , Louisiana , Missouri — 1891 — listed as Mammoth Pippin
- Milwaukie-Canby Nurseries , Canby, OR (and Milwaukie, OR) — 1893
- Multnomah Nurseries , Russellville , Oregon — 1894
- Woodburn Nurseries , Woodburn, Marion Co. , Oregon — 1894
- J.V. Cotta (Cotta Nursery) , Carroll County , Illinois — 1898 — listed as Mammoth Pippin
- Central Experimental Farm , Dominion Department of Agriculture, Agassiz, British Columbia (under test; Bulletin No. 3, Second Series) — 1900
- Washington Nursery Co. , Toppenish , Washington — 1901
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1901
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1901 — listed as Mammoth Pippin
- Pacific Nursery Company (W. O. Hudson & A. D. Hudson) , Tangent , Oregon — 1903
- Russellville Nursery Co. , Russellville, OR (three miles east of Portland, one mile from Montavilla car line) — 1903
- OSU Bulletin 81 — 1904
- The Dalles Nurseries , The Dalles , Oregon — 1906
- J.B. Pilkington , Portland , Oregon — 1907
- Russellville Nursery Co. , Montavilla Station, Portland, OR (three miles east of Portland, one mile from Montavilla car line) — 1907
- Carlton Nursery Co. , Carlton , Oregon — 1909
- Washington Nursery Company , Toppenish , Washington — 1909
- C.F. Lansing , Salem , Oregon — 1910
- James Veitch & Sons , Ltd., Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, London (also Coombe Wood, Langley, and Feltham) , England — 1911
- Pacific Nursery Company , Portland , Oregon — 1912
- Vineland Nurseries Company , Clarkston , Washington — 1912
- Washington Nursery Company , Toppenish , Washington — 1912
- Pacific Nursery Company , Portland , Oregon — 1912 — listed as Mammoth Pippin
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1913
- Oregon Nursery Co. , Orenco , Oregon — 1920
- Hudson's Wholesale Nurseries , Tangent , Oregon — 1936
View original book sources (9)
— William Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817)NO. 27. MONSTROUS PIPPIN, OR NEW-YORK GLORIA MUNDI.
This apple originated on Long Island, state of New-York; it is of an uncommonly large size, weighing from twenty to twenty-seven ounces: when ripe, the skin is yellow, smooth, and full of white spots; the stalk is short, and grows in a deep cavity, the eye is also very deep; the flesh is juicy, white, tender, and sprightly, and is very excellent for cooking, but has not sufficient flavour for a fine table fruit, and is not rich enough for cider: its uncommon size subjects it to be blown down, and to be stolen: it is not therefore a desirable apple beyond a few trees in a collection.
— Woolhope Naturalists Field Club, The Herefordshire Pomona (1885)Plate X.
- GLORIA MUNDI.
{Syn: Baltimore; Belle Dubois; Mammoth; Monstrous Pippin; Ox Apple.}
This Apple is believed to be of American origin, but some doubts exist as to where it was first raised, that honour being claimed by several different localities. The general opinion however is, that it originated in the garden of a Mr. Smith in the neighbourhood of Baltimore. It was introduced from America into France by Comte Lelieur, in 1804, and was brought over to this country by Captain George Hudson, of the ship Belvidere, of Baltimore, in 1817.
There is, however, some doubt as to whether it is a native of America. In the volume of the "Allgemeines Teutsches Gartenmagazin" for 1805, it is said to have been raised by Herr Kunstgartner Maizman, of Hanover. If this account is correct, the apple must have been taken to America by some of the Hanoverian emigrants, which would account, moreover, for the claim of its origin by different localities there. Dittrich, vol. III, p. 41, has confounded the synonyms of the Gloria Mundi with Golden Mundi, which he has described under the head of Monstrous Pepping.
Description.—Fruit, immensely large, sometimes measuring four inches and a half in diameter; of a roundish shape, inclining to be angular on the sides, and flattened both at the base and apex. Skin, smooth, pale yellowish green, interspersed with white dots, and patches of thin delicate russet, and tinged sometimes with a faint blush of red next the sun. Eye, large, open, and deeply set in a wide and slightly furrowed basin. Stalk, short and stout, inserted in a deep and open cavity, which is lined with rough russet. Flesh, white, tender, and juicy, but not highly flavoured.
It is an excellent culinary apple, in season from October to December.
The tree grows freely, and bears abundantly. It was introduced into Herefordshire, some
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Gloria Mundi. Monstrous Pippin. Belle Josephine. Baltimore of some. Glazenwood Gloria Mundi. Baltimore Pippin. New York Gloria Mundi. American Mammoth. Mississippi? Ox Apple. Origin unknown. Tree vigorous. Not productive or profitable. Fruit very large, roundish oblate, ribbed, greenish yellow. Flesh coarse, tender, with a pleasant acid flavor. Good. October to January.
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)GLORIA MUNDI.
References. 1. Dom. Encyc., 1804 (cited by 4). 2. Am. Gard. Cal., 1806:585. 3. Coxe, 1817:117. fig. 4. Thacher, 1822:131. 5. Buel, N. Y. Bd. Agr. Mem., 1826:476. 6. Fessenden, 1828:129. 7. London Hort. Soc. Cat., 1831:No. 447. 8. Kenrick, 1832:49. 9. Floy-Lindley, 1833:86. 10. Downing, 1845:110. fig. 11. Cole, 1849:122. 12. Thomas, 1849:182. 13. Phoenix. Horticulturist, 4:470. 1850. 14. Emmons, Nat. Hist. N. Y., 3:41. 1851. col. pl. No. 35 and fig. 15. Elliott, 1854:174. 16. Mag. Hort., 23:83. 1857. 17. Hooper, 1857:39. 18. Warder, 1867:719, 725. 19. Downing, 1869:191. 20. Fitz, 1872:168. 21. Leroy, 1873:407. fig. 22. Downing, 1881:11 index, app. 23. Hogg, 1884:85. 24. Wickson, 1889:245. 25. Lyon, Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1890:292. 26. Green, Rural N. Y., 49:604. 1890. 27. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:240. 28. Bunyard, Jour. Roy. Hort. Soc., 1898:354. 29. Can. Hort., 23:75. 1900. 30. Bruner, N. C. Sta. Bul., 182:20. 1903.
Synonyms. American Gloria Mundi (4, 7, 21). American Mammoth (7, 10, 15, 17, 19, 21). Baltimore (10, 12, 14, 21, 23, 26, of some 19). Baltimore Pippin (15, 17, 19). Belle Dubois (23). Belle Josephine (19, 21). Copp's Mammoth (22). Glasenwood (10). Glazenwood Gloria Mundi (19, 21, 23). Gloria Mundi (1, 7, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30). Gloria Mundi (5, 10, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 21, 26). Imperatrice Josephine (21). Josephine (21). Kinderhook Pippin (14). Mammoth (21, 23). Mammoth Pippin (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 26). Mammoth Pippin (7, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21). Melon (21). Mississippi? (19). Monstreuse Pippin (21). Monstrous Pippin (23). Mountain Flora (22). N. Y. Gloria Mundi (3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 19, 21). Ox Apple (10, 12, 14, 15, 19, 23, 26). Pound (17). Vandyne Apple (9).
Fruit of largest size; seldom cultivated except for exhibition; suitable only for culinary purposes. The tree is large, vigorous, spreading, hardy and long-lived. It has been commonly held to be unproductive, but a few fruit growers in Southeastern New York report that it is a good bearer and a profitable commercial variety. Season October to January.
Historical. The exact place of origin of this apple seems doubtful. In 1804 Mease stated, "It originated on the farm of Mr. Crooks, near Red Hook in New York" (1). Thirteen years later Coxe credited it with a Long Island origin (3). All that can be stated with certainty is that it is an old variety known in parts of Eastern New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in the beginning of the last century.
Fruit. Fruit very large or large, uniform. Form roundish with truncate ends, slightly conical, ribbed; sides usually unequal. Stem medium to short, moderately thick. Cavity large, acuminate, moderately deep to deep, broad, furrowed and compressed, sometimes slightly russeted. Calyx medium to large, open or partly closed; lobes separated at base, short, narrow. Basin large, moderately deep to deep, rather wide, somewhat abrupt, sometimes compressed, furrowed and wrinkled. Skin greenish-yellow sometimes with faint bronze blush. Dots small to medium, often areolar with russet center, or light colored and submerged. Prevailing effect yellow or greenish. Calyx tube very large, long, wide, broadly conical extending to core or approaching cylindrical below. Stamens median. Core medium to rather large, usually decidedly abaxile; cells symmetrical, open; core lines usually clasping. Carpels broadly roundish to somewhat elliptical, slightly tufted. Seeds moderately dark brown, medium to rather small, rather narrow, short, plump, obtuse to acute, sometimes tufted. Flesh slightly tinged with greenish-yellow, coarse, moderately crisp, rather tender, juicy, rather mild subacid, fair or nearly good in quality. Season October to January.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Monstrous Pippin.
Gloria Mundi, | New York Gloria Mundi, | Baltimore Pippin. American Mammoth, | Ox Apple,
Very large, greenish yellow, roundish ; flesh, white, acid. October, December.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Monstrous Pippin. (Gloria Mundi, Ox Apple, Baltimore.) Very large, roundish, somewhat flattened at the ends, slightly angular or ribbed; skin smooth whitish green, becoming whitish yellow; stalk stout, short; calyx large; basin wide, deep, somewhat ribbed, with an obtuse rim; flesh white, tender, rather coarse, sub-acid, not rich. Late autumn and early winter. A good cooking apple.
— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)GLORIA MUNDI. Ronalds, p. 7. (as Mammoth). F., Josephine; G., Gloria Mundi. (Baltimore, Belle du Bois (error), Monstrous Pippin, Ox Apple, Grosse de St. Clement.) Culinary, till January, immense, 4 by 3½, square conical, angular. Colour, grass-green, changing to straw-yellow. Flesh, tender, white, sub-acid. Eye open, in a deep wide, boldly ribbed basin. Stem, short, in a very wide and deep russet cavity. Growth, vigorous, upright; fertility very poor. Leaf, large, upcupped, undulating, boldly serrate. Origin, American. Introduced to England from America in 1817. There is some disagreement as to the origin of this apple. It was first recorded in America in 1804. Too uncertain a cropper in most parts. It cooks a brown colour, but is very sweet and rich.
— U.P. Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)GLORIA MUNDI. American Mammoth. Pound. Gloria Mundi is of interest because its fruits are the largest of cultivated apples, fit, however, only for culinary uses. All that is known of its history is that it was cultivated in the states of the Northeast very generally before 1804, since which time it has been widely distributed in the United States and Canada.
Tree large, vigorous, spreading, hardy, long-lived, but not very productive. Fruit large, uniform, round with truncate ends, conical, ribbed, sides usually unequal; stem short, thick; cavity large, acuminate, deep, broad, furrowed and compressed, sometimes russeted; calyx large, open or partly closed; lobes separated at base, short, narrow; basin large, deep, wide, abrupt; skin tough, smooth, greenish-yellow or yellow, sometimes with faint bronze blush; dots small, often areolar with russet center, or light colored and submerged; prevailing effect yellow; calyx-tube very large, long, wide, broadly conical extending to core; stamens median; core large, usually abaxile; cells symmetrical, open; core-lines usually clasping; carpels broadly roundish to elliptical, tufted; seeds dark brown, small, narrow, short, plump, obtuse, sometimes tufted; flesh yellow, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, mild subacid; fair or good in quality; October to January.
— H.H. Fisher (USDA ARS), A Survey of Apple Clones in the United States (1963)Gloria Mundi. Received from Hudson Nur. Co., Tangent, Ore. Reported comments: Very large fruit. Station No.: A341286. Reporting Station: NyC.