Santa Claus
PearSanta Claus
Origin / History
Colonel Brymer, Dorchester, England, brought Santa Claus to the notice of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1905, explaining that the parent tree had come originally from Belgium some thirty years previously (Hedrick). Bunyard says it was introduced from France by Col. Brymer, of Dorchester, and is probably the French Passe Colmar, but not the Passe Colmar of Hardenpont.
Tree
Growth vigorous, upright; fertility moderate. Leaf large, broad oval, upfolded, down hanging, irregularly shallow serrate, turning rich claret red.
Fruit
Size: Medium.
Form: Conical, slightly pyriform, fairly even.
Stem: Long and slender, 1 in. to 1¼ in.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Eye a little open; calyx partially open.
Basin: Even.
Skin: Slightly rough. Dull brown red, practically covered with russet.
Dots: Not described in source.
Flesh and flavor: Pale yellowish, melting, deliciously flavored. Bunyard: "A very delicious fruit, which deserves the attention of all pear lovers."
Core and seeds: Not described in source.
Season
December.
Uses
Dessert.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)SANTA CLAUS. Dessert, December, medium, conical, slightly pyriform, fairly even. Skin, slightly rough. Colour, dull brown red, practically covered with russet. Flesh, pale yellowish, melting, and deliciously flavoured. Eye, a little open in an even basin. Stem, long and slender, 1 in. to 1¼ in. Growth, vigorous, upright ; fertility moderate. Leaf, large, broad oval, upfolded, down hanging, irregularly shallow serrate, turning rich claret red. Origin, this was introduced from France by Col. Brymer, of Dorchester, and is probably the French Passe Colmar, but not the Passe Colmar of Hardenpont. A very delicious fruit, which deserves the attention of all pear lovers.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Santa Claus.
i. Garden 67:17, 35. 1905. 2. Bunyard Handb. Hardy Fr. 197. 1920.
Colonel Brymer, Dorchester, Eng., introduced this pear to the notice of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1905 explaining that the parent tree had come originally from Belgium some thirty years previously. Fruit medium, conical, slightly pyriform, fairly even, slightly rough, dull brown-red, practically covered with russet; stem long, slender; calyx partially open, in an even basin; flesh pale yellowish, melting, deliriously flavored; Dec.