Lyon
PearLyon
Origin / History
Originated at Newport, R. I. Downing's description is credited to Hovey's Magazine; Thomas also gives Newport, R. I. Hedrick's The Pears of New York repeats the entry (Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, p. 807, 1869).
Tree
Tree upright, vigorous, hardy, and productive. Resembles Buffum in tree and productiveness (Thomas).
Fruit
Size: Medium.
Form: Oblong obovate, or Doyenné-shaped.
Stem: Not described in source.
Cavity: Stalk scarcely sunk.
Calyx: Small; segments persistent. Nearly closed (Thomas).
Basin: Small, narrow, shallow.
Skin: Yellow, thick, smooth, with a blush; the blush crimson, on one side (Downing). Russeted about the stalk.
Dots: Fine, minute.
Flesh and flavor: Flesh white, coarse, gritty at the core (a little gritty, Thomas), melting, moderately juicy; sweet, vinous. Less dry than Buffum (Thomas). Quality "good to very good" (Downing); "very good" (Thomas).
Core and seeds: Not described in source.
Season
October. Two weeks earlier than Buffum (Thomas).
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
View original book sources (3)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Lyon.
Originated at Newport, R. I. Tree upright, vigorous, hardy, and productive.
Fruit medium, oblong obovate, yellow, with a crimson blush on one side, minute dots, russet near the stalk. Calyx small. Segments persistent. Basin narrow, shallow. Flesh white, coarse, gritty at the core, melting, moderately juicy, sweet. Good to very good. October. (Hov. Mag.)
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Lyon. Size medium, Doyenné-shaped; skin yellow, thick, smooth, with a blush, finely dotted, russeted about the stalk; stalk scarcely sunk; calyx nearly closed; basin small; flesh coarse, a little gritty at core, vinous, very good. Resembles Buffum in tree and productiveness, but less dry and two weeks earlier. Newport, R. I.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Lyon.
i. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 807. 1869.
Originated at Newport, R. I. Fruit medium, oblong-obovate or Doyenne-shaped, yellow, thick and smooth skin, finely dotted, blushed; flesh coarse, a little gritty at core, vinous; very good; Oct.