Rhode's Orange
AppleRhode's Orange
Origin/History
Rhode's Orange was raised by Col. Mercer Rhodes, Newton Co., Georgia.
Tree
The tree is a slow grower, spreading in habit, and productive.
Fruit
Size and Form
The fruit is medium in size and roundish oblate in form.
Stem
The stalk is rather long.
Cavity
Not described in source.
Calyx
The calyx is small and closed.
Basin
Not described in source.
Skin
The skin is yellowish, washed, striped, and mottled with light red, with many light and gray dots. Sources summarize the color as yellow-red.
Flesh and Flavor
The flesh is whitish, tender, and juicy, with a pleasant subacid flavor. Quality is rated Good (Downing, 1900) and Very Good (Lowther, 1914).
Core and Seeds
The core is small.
Season
Downing (1900) and Thomas (1903) place Rhode's Orange in summer (August). Lowther (1914), however, lists the season as winter, with the variety recorded across both Northern Division (10 stations) and Central Division (9 stations) as a cross-division variety. These seasonal attributions conflict and may reflect either regional variation, a reporting discrepancy, or confusion with another variety.
Uses
Suited for both kitchen and dessert use, and for market.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 1 catalog (1901) from Arkansas
- Yarbrough Bros. , Stephens , Arkansas — 1901 — listed as Rhodes' Orange
View original book sources (3)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Rhode's Orange.
Raised by Col. Mercer Rhodes, Newton Co., Ga. Tree a slow grower, spreading, productive.
Fruit medium, roundish oblate, yellowish, washed, striped, and mottled with light red, many light and gray dots. Stalk rather long. Calyx small, closed. Flesh whitish, tender, juicy, pleasant subacid. Good. Core small. August.
— Granville Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)Rhode's Orange. Size: medium. Form: roundish (oblate). Color: yellow-red. Quality: very good. Use: both kitchen and market. Season: winter. Northern Division stations reporting: 10 (cross-division). Central Division stations reporting: 9 (cross-division).
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Rhode's Orange. Medium, roundish-oblate, yellow and red. Summer.