Opalescent

OPALESCENT.

REFERENCES. 1. Rural N. Y., 58:224. 1899. 2. Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1901. (cited by 4). 3. Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1903:12. 4. Ragan, U. S. B. P. I. Bul., 56:220. 1905.

When well grown Opalescent is a very attractive apple, being large, shapely, clear yellow, nearly or quite covered with brilliant red, in highly colored specimens becoming deep purplish-red. It has not been tested in New York sufficiently to show whether it may be considered a promising variety for this region. It does not appear to be as good a keeper as Baldwin.

Historical. Introduced about 1899 by McNary and Gaines, Xenia, Ohio.

TREE.

Tree vigorous. Form roundish, open. Twigs long to medium in length, erect, slender to moderately stout, curved or irregularly crooked; internodes short to above medium. Bark dark dull reddish-brown mingled with some olive-green and covered with a heavy coat of mottled scarf-skin, pubescent. Lenticels rather inconspicuous, scattering, medium in size, roundish, sometimes raised. Buds prominent, large to below medium, broad, plump, obtuse to somewhat acute, free or nearly so, pubescent.

FRUIT.

Fruit large to very large. Form roundish conic, symmetrical or sometimes with sides unequal, obscurely ribbed. Stem short to medium, moderately slender. Cavity pretty large, acuminate, very deep, sometimes partly russeted, usually symmetrical but sometimes compressed. Calyx below medium or small, usually partly open; lobes small, obtuse to acute, reflexed. Basin small to medium in size, often oblique with the brim decidedly prominent on one side, narrow to moderately wide, moderately deep to deep, abrupt, sometimes slightly furrowed.

Skin moderately thick, rather tough, glossy, takes a brilliant polish; color bright pale yellow nearly or quite overspread with dark deep red with scarcely perceptible streaks of purplish-carmine. Dots numerous, small to large, red, yellowish or russet, often submerged, frequently mingled with irregular lines and flecks of russet. Prevailing effect brilliant deep red.

Calyx tube medium to rather small, cone-shape or short funnel-form. Stamens median to basal.

Core small to medium, abaxile; cells sometimes unsymmetrical, closed or open; core lines meeting or nearly meeting. Carpels smooth, roundish or broadly obcordate. Seeds acute, medium in size, form and color.

Flesh distinctly tinged with yellow, rather firm, moderately tender, a little coarse, juicy or moderately juicy, agreeable mild subacid, aromatic, good to very good.

Season November to February or March.

— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 1 (1905)

41. Opalescent. (X½)

OPALESCENT. Fig. 41.

The outstanding character of Opalescent is beauty of product. The fruits are large, shapely, uniform in size, and nearly covered or sometimes quite covered with brilliant red on a yellow background — a veritable feast to the eye. The quality, while not the best, is good. The trees are hardy, vigorous, productive, hold their load well, and are remarkably free from insect and fungous pests. Opalescent is a comparatively new variety introduced about 1899 from Xenia, Ohio. It is so similar in tree and fruit to the well-known Twenty Ounce that one may well suspect it to be a sport or a seedling of the older sort. All characters mark it as a variety full of promise for regions in which Twenty Ounce thrives.

Tree vigorous, round-topped, open. Fruit large to very large, round-conic, symmetrical or with sides unequal, obscurely ribbed; stem short, slender; cavity large, acuminate, very deep, sometimes russeted, symmetrical or compressed; calyx small, partly open; lobes small, obtuse, reflexed; basin small, often oblique with the brim prominent on one side, narrow, deep, abrupt, sometimes furrowed; skin thick, tough, glossy, pale yellow overspread with dark deep red with scarcely perceptible streaks of carmine; dots numerous, small, red, yellow or russet, often submerged, frequently mingled with irregular lines and flecks of russet; prevailing effect brilliant red; calyx-tube small, cone-shape; stamens median; core small, abaxile; cells sometimes unsymmetrical, closed; core-lines meeting; carpels smooth, round or broadly obcordate; seeds acute, medium in size, form and color; flesh yellow, firm, tender, coarse, juicy, mild subacid, aromatic; good to very good; November to February or March.

— U.P. Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)