Long Red Pearmain
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Long Red Pearmain
Origin / History
Said to have originated on the property of the Economites at New Harmony, Indiana, many years since (Downing, 1900). For many years considered identical with Kaign's Spitzenburg, and Downing so makes it in the second revised edition of his work; experience and examination have since proven the two distinct. Beach (1905) records that for many years it was considered identical with Kaighn, and that in 1876 Downing stated it was distinct from Kaighn in tree and fruit and gave a list of synonyms for it. The true Kaign's Spitzenberg, so far as Downing knows, has no synonyms, and was first described by William Coxe, in his work on Fruits, in 1817, as having originated in Gloucester county, New Jersey. Downing (1900) writes that neither apple is much cultivated now, "as we have better kinds, the object being to correct the mistake."
Tree
Growth and form of the tree distinct from Kaign's Spitzenburg (Downing, 1900).
Fruit
Size: Medium to large.
Form: Oblong approaching conic.
Stem: Not described in source.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Yellowish, shaded and striped with red.
Dots: Not described in source.
Flesh and flavor: Flesh coarse; pleasant subacid; good (Beach).
Core and seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Late fall and early winter.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 6 catalogs (1845–1913) from Illinois, Massachusetts
- Winship's Nursery (Brighton Nurseries , operated by the Winship family), Brighton (Boston) , Massachusetts — 1845 — listed as Parks
- Winship's Nursery (Brighton Nurseries , operated by the Winship family), Brighton (Boston) , Massachusetts — 1845 — listed as Red Pearmain
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1901 — listed as Red Bellflower
- Russellville Nursery Co. , Russellville, OR (three miles east of Portland, one mile from Montavilla car line) — 1903 — listed as Red Bellflower
- Russellville Nursery Co. , Montavilla Station, Portland, OR (three miles east of Portland, one mile from Montavilla car line) — 1907 — listed as Red Bellflower
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1913 — listed as Red Bellflower
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Kaign's Spitzenburg and Long Red Pearmain.
For many years these have been considered identical, and Downing so makes it in the second revised edition, but experience and examination have proven them distinct, both in the growth and form of the tree, and of the fruit. The Long Red Pearmain is said to have originated on the property of the Economites at New Harmony, Indiana, many years since; The name and synonyms by which it is known in different localities are given below.
Long Red Pearmain.
Red Pearmain. Kaign's Spitzenburg, incorrectly. Long John. Red Spitzenberg. Striped Pearmain. Lady Finger, incorrectly. Winter Pearmain. Long Pearmain. Red Winter Pearmain, incorrectly. Scarlet Pearmain, incorrectly. English Pearmain, incorrectly. Red Bellflower, incorrectly. Red Pippin. Red Phoenix. Pearmain. Kentucky Gilliflower. Kentucky Bellflower. Hudson Red Streak. Sheepnose, of some. Wabash Bellflower. Russam. Park (not of Kansas). Mudhole. Pound Royal, incorrectly.
The true Kaign's Spitzenberg, so far as I know, has no synonyms, and was first described by William Coxe, in his work on Fruits, in 1817, as having originated in Gloucester county, New Jersey.
Neither of these apples are much cultivated now, as we have better kinds, the object being to correct the mistake.
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)LONG RED PEARMAIN.
REFERENCE. 1. Downing, 1876:55 app.
SYNONYMS. English Pearmain incorrectly (1). Hudson Red Streak (1). Kentucky Bellflower (1). Kentucky Gillflower (1). Kaighn's Spitzenburg incorrectly (1). Lady Finger incorrectly (1). Long John (1). Long Pearmain (1). Long Red Pearmain (1). Mudhole (1). Park (not of Kansas) (1). Pearmain (1). Pound Royal incorrectly (1). Red Bellflower incorrectly (1). Red Pearmain (1). Red Phoenix (1). Red Pippin (1). Red Spitzenberg (1). Red Winter Pearmain incorrectly (1). Russam (1). Scarlet Pearmain (1). Sheepnose of some (1). Striped Pearmain (1). Wabash Bellflower (1). Winter Pearmain (1).
This variety was for many years considered identical with Kaighn. See page 113. In 1876 Downing (1) stated that it was distinct from Kaighn in tree and fruit and gave the list of synonyms for it which is cited above.
The fruit is medium to large, oblong approaching conic, yellowish, shaded and striped with red; flesh coarse, pleasant subacid, good; season late fall and early winter.