Sweet Bellflower
Apple
Sweet Bellflower
Origin and History
The origin of this variety is disputed between sources. Warder (1867) states it is supposed to have originated in the neighborhood of Dayton, Ohio, and is cultivated chiefly in the adjacent regions; when found elsewhere, it is traceable to that source. Downing (1900), however, gives the origin as unknown. Downing notes it has been called "Sweet Butter" or "Butter" by some growers.
Tree
Warder does not describe the tree. Downing describes the tree as vigorous and spreading in habit.
Fruit
Size and Form: The two sources diverge on form. Warder describes the fruit as large, roundish oblong, and angular, with an uneven surface. Downing describes it as above medium in size, roundish oblate, and slightly ribbed. These differ meaningfully — oblate (flattened) versus oblong (elongated) — and both descriptions should be weighed when identifying a specimen.
Skin: Greenish yellow, becoming creamy yellow at full ripeness (Warder). Downing similarly gives greenish yellow. Both sources note a blush is possible but limited: Warder says it is very rarely blushed or bronzed; Downing says there may be a slight blush in the sun.
Dots: Warder describes the dots as minute and indented, surrounded by green in the unripe fruit. Downing describes a few brown dots.
Stem/Stalk: Long and slender (both sources agree).
Cavity: Acute and wavy, with green coloring (Warder).
Calyx: Small, closed (Warder). Closed (Downing).
Calyx segments: Long, reflexed (Warder).
Basin: Medium, folded (Warder).
Core: Regular, roundish, open, meeting the eye (Warder).
Seeds: Numerous, plump, angular, and imperfect (Warder).
Flesh and Flavor
Warder describes the flesh as white, fine-grained, breaking, and juicy, with a flavor that is very sweet. Downing describes the flesh as yellowish white, tender, aromatic, and sweet. The two sources agree on sweetness; Downing adds an aromatic quality not mentioned by Warder, and gives the flesh color as yellowish white where Warder gives simply white.
Quality is rated good to very good by Warder, and good by Downing. Warder adds the comparative note that it is not equal to the Broadwell.
Season and Uses
The two sources disagree on ripening season. Downing gives October–November; Warder gives December. This may reflect regional differences in ripening time (Downing's data being more broadly compiled, Warder's reflecting Ohio conditions), or differences between individual trees. Uses: table and baking (Warder).
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)Sweet Bellflower.
This apple is supposed to have originated in the neighborhood of Dayton, Ohio, and is cultivated chiefly in the adjacent regions, and when found elsewhere is traceable to this source.
Fruit large, roundish oblong, angular; Surface uneven, greenish yellow, becoming creamy yellow, very rarely blushed or bronzed; Dots minute, indented, surrounded by green in the unripe fruit.
Basin medium, folded; Eye small, closed; Segments long, reflexed.
Cavity acute, wavy, green; Stem long, slender.
Core regular, roundish, open, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, plump, angular, imperfect; Flesh white, fine-grained, breaking, juicy; Flavor very sweet; Quality good to very good; Use, baking, table; Season, December.
Not equal to Broadwell.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Sweet Bellflower.
Sweet Butter ? Butter of some.
Of unknown origin. Tree vigorous, spreading.
Fruit above medium, roundish oblate, slightly ribbed, greenish yellow, with a few brown dots, slight blush in the sun. Stalk rather long, slender. Calyx closed. Flesh yellowish white, tender, aromatic, sweet. Good. October, November.