Marie Guisse
PearMarie Guisse
Origin/History
Grown from seed of St. Germain in 1834 near the town of Metz, Lorraine, France. According to Downing, it was twenty years before the seedling first fruited. Hedrick cites Leroy (Dict. Pom. 2:398, fig., 1869) and Hogg (Fruit Man. 613, 1884) as early references. Downing's account is attributed to Verger.
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium size, obovate-oblong-pyriform in shape.
Stem: Rather long and moderately stout (Downing).
Cavity: Narrow and furrowed (Downing).
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Surface uneven; yellow, with shades of red on the sun-exposed side, and large, dull, dark specks.
Flesh/Flavor: Yellowish-white, granular, melting, sweet, and vinous.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
December through February.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Marie Guisse.
This variety is said to have been grown from seed of St. Germain, in 1834, near the town of Metz, France. It was twenty years before it fruited.
Fruit medium size, obovate oblong pyriform. Surface uneven, yellow, with shades of red in sun, and large, dull, dark specks. Stalk rather long and moderately stout, set in a narrow furrowed cavity. Flesh yellowish white, granular, melting, sweet, vinous. December, February. (Verg.)
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Marie Guisse.
- Leroy Dict. Pom. 2:398, fig. 1869.
- Hogg Fruit Man. 613. 1884.
Grown from seed of St. Germain in 1834, near Metz, Lorraine. Fruit medium, obovate-oblong-pyriform, surface uneven, yellow, with shades of red in the sun, and large, dull dark specks; flesh yellowish-white, granular, melting, sweet, vinous; Dec. to Feb.