Sweet Sponge
Apple
Sweet Sponge
Origin/History
Origin unknown. Introduced to American pomological literature through H. N. Gillett. The Downing (1900) entry cites Warder as its source, indicating the variety was documented primarily through Warder's American Pomology (1867).
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium, oblate, irregular in form.
Stem: Short and thick.
Cavity: Wide and irregular.
Calyx/Eye: Eye long, closed.
Basin: None or extremely shallow, folded.
Skin: Surface smooth, yellowish white.
Dots: Minute.
Flesh/Flavor: Flesh white and tender. Flavor sweet.
Core/Seeds: Core wide, closed, scarcely meeting the eye. Seeds numerous, plump, brown.
Season
July.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)Sweet Sponge.
From H. N. Gillett; Origin unknown.
Fruit medium, oblate, irregular; Surface smooth, yellowish white; Dots minute.
Basin none or extremely shallow, folded; Eye long, closed.
Fig. 124.—SWEET SPONGE.
Cavity wide, irregular; Stem short, thick.
Core wide, closed, scarce meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, plump, brown; Flesh white, tender; Flavor sweet; Season, July.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Sweet Sponge.
Origin unknown.
Fruit medium, oblate, yellowish white. Flesh white, tender, sweet. July. (Warder.)