Madeleine

Apple

Madeleine

Origin / History

A French apple, according to Downing and Bunyard (1901). Bunyard (1914) says it was first recorded in the 16th century. Downing describes it under the name "Citron des Carmes," citing "(Ron.)". The Central Experimental Farm at Agassiz, British Columbia, planted it in the spring of 1895, and it was among the fruit trees under test there in 1900.

Tree

Agassiz reports the tree a vigorous grower, while Bunyard (1914) gives growth weak. Bunyard says it requires a warm situation, such as a wall, an orchard house, or under glass.

Fruit

Size: Small to above medium. Bunyard gives medium and Agassiz above medium size; Downing alone calls it small.

Form: Oblong, ribbed, much ribbed in Bunyard's (1914) account.

Stem: Not described in source.

Cavity: Not described in source.

Calyx: Not described in source.

Basin: Not described in source.

Skin: Greenish white to palest yellow. Downing alone gives light dull brown.

Dots: Not described in source.

Flesh and flavor: Flesh white, coarse, tender, "of remarkable tenderness, almost pear like" (Bunyard 1914). Flavor pleasant. Agassiz rates the quality "good," and Bunyard (1901) calls it "a delicious French apple." Downing alone calls the fruit dry and the quality "Poor."

Core and seeds: Not described in source.

Season

December to March. At Agassiz, in season January and February.

Uses

Dessert and culinary; Bunyard (1901) recommends it "for dessert or culinary use."

Subtypes / Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 1 period pomological work

Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900) — listed as Citron des Carmes

View original book sources (4)

Citron des Carmes. A French Apple. Fruit small, oblong, light dull brown, dry. Poor. December. (Ron.)

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

Planted Spring 1895. Tree a vigorous grower. Fruit above medium size, oblong, ribbed. Skin greenish white. Flesh white, coarse, tender, pleasant, quality good. Season January and February.

— Central Experimental Farm, Central Experimental Farm, Agassiz BC — Catalogue of Fruit Trees under Test (Bulletin No. 3, 1900) (1900)

Medium, a delicious French apple for dessert or culinary use, requiring a warm situation, wall or orchard house.

— George Bunyard & Co., George Bunyard Fruit Catalogue (1901) (1901)

Dessert and culinary; Dec.-March. Medium, palest yellow, much ribbed, flesh of remarkable tenderness, almost pear like, growth weak; requires a warm situation such as a wall or under glass. Recorded first in 16th century.

— George Bunyard & Co., George Bunyard Catalog of Fruit Trees (1914) (1914)

Citron des Carmes Margaret Passe Pomme d'Automne Passe Pomme Rouge Pigeon Red Winter Calville Summer Red Calville Summer White Calville White Calville