Maria

Pear

Maria

[NOTE: Source text may be incorrect — the two sources differ on origin, size, form, flesh color and season, and may describe two different fruits under one name.]

Origin / History

Downing (1900): origin in the garden of the late Cuthbert M. Curran, Windsor, Nova Scotia; brought to notice by the late Hon. C. R. Prescott, and named by him in honor of his wife. Hedrick (1921), Guide Prat. 96, 1895: sent out by M. Daras de Naghin, Antwerp, Belgium.

Tree

Hardy, moderately vigorous, or of slow growth; a good bearer (Downing).

Fruit

Size: Below medium (Downing). Rather large (Hedrick).

Form: Roundish, a little elevated around the stalk (Downing). Oblong-ovate (Hedrick).

Stem: Long, curved (Downing).

Cavity: Small (Downing).

Calyx: Open (Downing).

Basin: Rather small, slightly corrugated (Downing).

Skin: Pale yellow, often shaded with light bright red (Downing).

Dots: Not described in source.

Flesh and flavor: White, fine, buttery, juicy, melting; sweet, vinous, rich (Downing). Yellowish, "very agreeable" (Hedrick).

Core and seeds: Not described in source.

Season

Ripens a week or two earlier than the Bartlett (Downing). February and March (Hedrick).

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes / Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 2 period pomological works

View original book sources (2)

Maria.

Curran.

Origin, in the garden of the late Cuthbert M. Curran, Windsor, Nova Scotia, and was brought to notice by the late Hon. C. R. Prescott, and named by him in honor to his wife; tree hardy, moderately vigorous, or of slow growth; a good bearer.

Fruit below medium, roundish, a little elevated around the stalk; skin pale yellow, often shaded with light bright red; stalk long, curved; cavity small; calyx open; basin rather small, slightly corrugated; flesh white, fine, buttery, juicy, melting, sweet, vinous, rich. Ripens a week or two earlier than the Bartlett.

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

Maria,

i. Guide Prat. 96. 1895.

Sent out by M. Daras de Naghin, Antwerp, Bel. Fruit rather large, oblong-ovate; flesh yellowish, very agreeable; Feb. and Mar.

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

Curran Currau Marie Louise