Magnolia

Apple

Magnolia

Origin/History

Originated at Bolton, Massachusetts. Downing also records a separate apple received from J. W. Dodge of Tennessee under the same name, the origin of which could not be well traced (see Subtypes/Variants).

Tree

Growth moderate; productive.

Fruit

Size and Form: Medium. Downing describes the form as roundish oblate conic; Elliott as oblate conic; Thomas as oblate-conical.

Stem: Short.

Cavity: Broad and uneven.

Calyx: Closed.

Basin: Small.

Skin: Yellow, beautifully striped and mottled with crimson.

Flesh/Flavor: Flesh white, tender, juicy, with a brisk, aromatic flavor. Downing additionally characterizes the flavor as subacid and rates the quality good to very good.

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

October (Downing, Elliott); mid-autumn (Thomas).

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Downing records a distinct apple received from J. W. Dodge of Tennessee also circulating under the name Magnolia, of uncertain origin. It is described as large, roundish oblate, inclining to conic, and irregular in outline — larger and less regular than the Massachusetts Magnolia. Skin yellow, striped, mottled, and splashed with red. Flesh yellow, a little coarse, tender, juicy, pleasant, and slightly aromatic. Rated very good. Season: December–January — substantially later than the Massachusetts fruit.

Other

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 3 period pomological works

View original book sources (3)

Magnolia.

Origin, Bolton, Mass. Growth moderate, productive.

Fruit medium, roundish oblate conic, yellow, beautifully striped and mottled with crimson. Stalk short, in a broad, uneven cavity. Calyx closed. Basin small. Flesh white, tender, juicy, brisk, aromatic, subacid. Good to very good. October.

We have also received from J. W. Dodge, Tennessee, an apple under this name, the origin of which cannot be well traced. It is large, roundish oblate, inclining to conic, irregular, yellow, striped, mottled, and splashed with red. Flesh yellow, a little coarse, tender, juicy, pleasant, slightly aromatic. Very good. December, January.

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

Magnolia.

Origin, Bolton, Mass. Growth moderate, productive. Fruit, medium, oblate conic ; skin, yellow, beautifully striped and mottled with crimson ; stalk, short, in a broad, uneven cavity ; calyx, closed ; basin, small ; flesh, white, tender, juicy, with a brisk, aromatic flavor. October. (Downing.)

— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)

Magnolia. Size medium, oblate-conical; striped and mottled with crimson on yellow; stalk short; cavity broad, uneven; basin small; flesh white, tender, with a brisk aromatic flavor. Growth moderate, productive. Mid-autumn.

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