Souvenir de la Reine des Belges
PearSouvenir de la Reine des Belges
Origin and History
Obtained in 1855 by Xavier Grégoire of Jodoigne, Belgium. This variety was documented in Leroy's Dictionnaire de Pomologie (1869) and subsequently included in Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1869).
Fruit
Size and Form: Above medium. The fruit is turbinate (top-shaped) with a rather obtuse apex. The lower portion is ventriculous (distinctly swollen or bulged at the belly) and symmetrical; the upper portion is much contorted and bossed, creating an irregularly lumpy profile in the shoulder and neck regions.
Color and Surface: Pale yellow ground color, dotted with gray, and mottled with russet. The russet mottling is especially pronounced on the side exposed to the sun.
Flesh: Yellowish in color, rather coarse in texture, melting, and juicy. The core region is gritty. Juice is abundant, saccharine, slightly acidulous (mildly tart), with a delicate flavor and aroma.
Quality and Character
This is a first-rate variety, and often retains second-rate quality when the fruit lacks pronounced perfume.
Season
October.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Souvenir de la Reine des Belges. 1. Leroy Dict. Pom. 2:673, fig. 1869. 2. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 857. 1869.
Xavier Grégoire, Jodoigne, Bel., obtained this pear in 1855. Fruit above medium, turbinate, rather obtuse, ventriculous and symmetrical in its lower part and much contorted and bossed in its upper, pale yellow, dotted with gray, mottled with russet, especially over the side exposed to the sun; flesh yellowish, rather coarse, melting, juicy, gritty at the core; juice abundant, saccharine, slightly acidulous, with a delicate flavor and aroma; first and often second when the fruit is devoid of perfume; Oct.