Gros Rousselet
PearGros Rousselet
Origin/History
An old variety. Mentioned by Rea as being cultivated in England in 1665 under the name Great Russet of Remes, under which name it was also known in France, where two varieties were distinguished: the Gros Rousselet de Rheims and the Petit-Rousselet. Father Rapin, a French Jesuit who wrote in 1666 the poem Hortorum, mentioned the pears of Rousselet in the Valley of Amiterne at the foot of the Apennines. In 1783 the German pomologist Henri Manger wrote that he believed the French Rousselet was none other than the Roman Favonianum mentioned by Pliny. Downing (1900) characterizes it as of little value.
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size: Medium.
Form: Downing describes the shape as obovate pyriform; Hedrick describes it as obtuse-pyriform.
Stem: Not described in source.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: The two sources give differing accounts of the ground color. Downing describes the skin as pale green with dull red on the sun-exposed side, marked with numerous gray russety specks. Hedrick describes it as yellowish or bright green, changing to bright lemon-yellow at maturity, covered with numerous small brown spots, with red on the side next the sun.
Flesh/Flavor: The two sources give differing characterizations. Downing describes the flesh as half buttery, melting, with an agreeable subacid flavor (citing Lind.). Hedrick describes it as yellowish, semi-melting, semi-breaking, rich in sugary and perfumed juice, variable in quality; he notes the variety requires a warm, sheltered position to perform well.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Downing places ripening at the last of August. Hedrick gives August and September.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
- Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)
- Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900) — listed as Roi d'Été
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)ROI D'ÉTÉ.
Gros Rousselet. Large Rousselet. Great Rousselet. The Rousselet. Russelet. King of Summer.
An old variety, of little value.
Fruit medium, obovate pyriform, pale green, dull red in the sun, with numerous gray russety specks. Flesh half buttery, melting, agreeable subacid. Last of August. (Lind.)
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Gros Rousselet.
- Leroy Dict. Pom. 2:250, fig. 1869.
- Hogg Fruit Man. 590. 1884. Roi d'Ete.
- Downing Fr. Trees Am. 843. 1869.
Mentioned by Rea as being cultivated in England in 1665 under the name of Great Russet of Remes, under which name it was also known in France, there being known these two varieties, the Gros Rousselet de Rheims and the Petit-Rousselet. Father Rapin, a French Jesuit, who wrote in 1666 the poem Hortorum, mentioned the pears of Rousselet in the Valley of Amiterne at the foot of the Apennines. In 1783 the German pomologist Henri Manger wrote that he believed the French Rousselet was none other than the Roman Favonianum mentioned by Pliny.
Fruit medium, obtuse-pyriform, yellowish or bright green changing to bright lemon-yellow, covered with numerous small brown spots, red on the side next the sun; flesh yellowish, semi-melting, semi-breaking, rich in sugary and perfumed juice; variable in quality, requires a warm, sheltered position; Aug. and Sept.