Lyon

Pear

Lyon

Origin/History

Originated at Newport, Rhode Island. Hedrick (1921) cites Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1869, p. 807) as the earliest published reference. Thomas notes that Lyon resembles the Buffum pear in its tree and productiveness, but is less dry and ripens about two weeks earlier.

Tree

Upright, vigorous, hardy, and productive (Downing). Thomas similarly characterizes the tree as resembling Buffum in its growth habit and bearing.

Fruit

Size and form: Medium in size. Oblong-obovate in form (Downing); Hedrick describes it as oblong-obovate or Doyenné-shaped; Thomas characterizes it as Doyenné-shaped. These descriptions are complementary, indicating a broadly Doyenné-type silhouette.

Stem: Scarcely sunk (Thomas).

Cavity: Not described in source.

Calyx: Small (Downing), nearly closed (Thomas). Segments persistent (Downing).

Basin: Narrow and shallow (Downing); small (Thomas).

Skin: Yellow, with a crimson blush on one side (Downing); Thomas and Hedrick describe the blush without specifying the color. Skin thick and smooth (Thomas, Hedrick), with minute dots (Downing) or finely dotted (Thomas, Hedrick). Russeted near or about the stalk (Downing, Thomas).

Flesh and flavor: White (Downing), coarse, and a little gritty at the core (all three sources). Melting and moderately juicy, with a sweet flavor (Downing); Thomas and Hedrick describe the flavor as vinous rather than sweet — both agree the quality is very good. Downing rates it good to very good.

Core/Seeds: Not described in source beyond the notation of grittiness at the core.

Season

October (all three sources agree).

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

The conflicting flavor characterizations — sweet (Downing) versus vinous (Thomas, Hedrick) — may reflect individual tasters, different growing conditions at Newport and elsewhere, or the range of ripeness at which the fruit was sampled. Downing's source is cited as Hov. Mag. (Hovey's Magazine of Horticulture).

Book Sources

Described in 3 period pomological works

View original book sources (3)

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.)

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

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.

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

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.

— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)