Maria

Pear

Origin/History

Downing (1900) identifies this variety as originating in the garden of the late Cuthbert M. Curran, Windsor, Nova Scotia. It was brought to notice by the late Hon. C. R. Prescott, and named by him in honor of his wife. An alternate name recorded by Downing is Curran.

Hedrick (1921) records a distinct provenance: sent out by M. Daras de Naghin, Antwerp, Belgium, with a citation to Guide Pratique 96 (1895).

The two sources conflict on every identifying characteristic — size, form, flesh color, season, and geographic origin — strongly suggesting that Downing and Hedrick are describing two different varieties that share the name Maria.

Tree

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

Not described in source. (Hedrick.)

Fruit

Size: Downing: below medium. Hedrick: rather large. [Sources conflict.]

Form: Downing: roundish, a little elevated around the stalk. Hedrick: oblong-ovate. [Sources conflict.]

Stem: Long, curved. (Downing.) Not described in source. (Hedrick.)

Cavity: Small. (Downing.) Not described in source. (Hedrick.)

Calyx: Open. (Downing.) Not described in source. (Hedrick.)

Basin: Rather small, slightly corrugated. (Downing.) Not described in source. (Hedrick.)

Skin: Pale yellow, often shaded with light bright red. (Downing.) Not described in source. (Hedrick.)

Flesh/Flavor: Downing: white, fine, buttery, juicy, melting, sweet, vinous, rich. Hedrick: yellowish, very agreeable. [Sources conflict on flesh color (white vs. yellowish) and detail of description.]

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

Downing: ripens a week or two earlier than the Bartlett (i.e., mid-to-late summer). Hedrick: February and March. [Sources conflict strongly — a summer pear vs. a late-winter keeper.]

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