Honey Greening

Apple

Honey Greening

Origin/History

Origin uncertain (Downing). Also known historically as the Poppy Greening; the name Honey Sweet has been applied to it, though incorrectly (Downing). Grown at the West (Thomas).

Tree

Both sources agree the tree is vigorous. The two sources conflict on habit: Downing describes it as of rather a straggling, spreading habit; Thomas describes it as upright. Downing records the tree as very productive; Thomas characterizes it as an early and constant bearer. Young shoots are light clear reddish yellowish brown (Downing).

Fruit

Size: Medium to large (Downing); large (Thomas).

Form: The two sources conflict on shape. Downing gives roundish oblate; Thomas gives oblong, oval.

Stem: Rather long, slender (Downing); long, slender, deeply set (Thomas).

Cavity: Deep (Downing).

Calyx: Closed (Downing). Not described in Thomas.

Basin: Abrupt, corrugated (Downing); broad, deep (Thomas).

Skin: Greenish yellow, with a slight blush in the sun (Downing). Dots are described as few, light and gray (Downing); Thomas describes them as green and gray. Both sources agree dots are present.

Flesh/Flavor: White, fine-grained, very tender, moderately juicy, with a honeyed sweet; rated Very good (Downing). Thomas describes the flesh as tender, mild, sweet, and slightly aromatic.

Core/Seeds: Core small (Downing). Not described in Thomas.

Season

November through February (Downing); November and December (Thomas).

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)

Honey Greening. Poppy Greening. Honey Sweet, incorrectly. Origin uncertain. Tree vigorous, of rather a straggling, spreading habit, very productive. Young shoots light clear reddish yellowish brown. Fruit medium to large, roundish oblate, greenish yellow, a slight blush in the sun, few light and gray dots. Stalk rather long, slender. Cavity deep. Calyx closed. Basin abrupt, corrugated. Flesh white, fine-grained, very tender, moderately juicy, with a honeyed sweet. Very good. Core small. November, February.

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Honey Greening. Large, oblong, oval; greenish yellow with green and gray dots; stalk long, slender, deeply set; basin broad, deep; flesh tender, mild, sweet, slightly aromatic. Grown at the West. Tree vigorous, upright, an early and constant bearer. November and December.

— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)

Honey Sweet Poppy Greening Honey Sweet White Sweeting Winter Sweet Paradise