Old Town Crab
AppleOld Town Crab
Origin / History
Known as the Spice Apple in Virginia (Elliott, Thomas).
Tree
Growth strong, compact (Elliott).
Fruit
Size: Small; rather small in Thomas.
Form: Not described in source.
Stem: Not described in source.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Greenish yellow.
Dots: Brown specks.
Flesh and flavor: Crisp, juicy, sweet; fragrant (Elliott); pleasant, aromatic (Thomas).
Core and seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Winter. Elliott gives December to April; Downing, December to March.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
View original book sources (3)
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Old Town Crab. Spice Apple, of Va. Growth, strong, compact; fruit, small; greenish yellow, brown specks; flesh, crisp, fragrant, juicy, sweet. December to April. (Thomas.)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Old Town Crab.
Spice Apple of some
Fruit small, greenish yellow, with brown specks. Flesh crisp, juicy, sweet. December, March.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Old Town Crab, or Spice Apple of Va. Rather small, greenish-yellow; crisp, sweet, pleasant, aromatic. Winter.