Rutter

[NOTE: Source text may be incorrect — all three sources spell this variety Ritter, not Rutter. The name "Rutter" does not appear in any of the three sources. The description below is for Ritter; verify that Rutter is the intended variety before using.]

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Origin/History

Originated in Berks County, Pennsylvania. American origin is confirmed across all three sources.

Tree

Moderately vigorous, upright spreading habit. (Downing)

Fruit

Size: Medium.

Form: Downing describes it as roundish oblate; Elliott and Thomas both describe it as roundish oblong — a conflict between sources on whether the fruit is flattened (oblate) or elongated (oblong) in its departure from round.

Stem: Short. (Downing; Elliott)

Cavity: Deep and narrow. (Elliott)

Calyx: Closed. (Downing)

Basin: Not described in source.

Skin: Yellow ground, striped and splashed with two shades of red (Downing); Elliott describes shades of red striped with white dots, without mentioning the yellow ground. White dots noted by Elliott only.

Flesh/Flavor: White, tender, juicy, mild, pleasant subacid, almost sweet (Downing). Elliott confirms tender flesh and rates it "very good"; Downing and Thomas rate it Good.

Core/Seeds: Seeds short and plump. (Elliott)

Season

Downing places the season in September. Elliott gives October–November. Thomas gives Autumn generally. The September date (Downing) conflicts with the October–November date (Elliott); the variety may ripen earlier in some districts or the sources may reflect different regional observations.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.