Wheeler's Russet
AppleWheeler's Russet
Origin/History
An English apple of uncertain precise origin, known since at least 1717. Downing, citing Lindley, places its origin in Gloucester, England. Bunyard gives origin as uncertain but confirms it is English. Known in France as Reinette Grise de Wheeler. Described in the Herefordshire Pomona (p. 33).
Tree
Growth moderate; fertility moderate. (Bunyard)
Fruit
Size: Medium. Bunyard gives dimensions of 2¾ inches wide by 2½ inches tall.
Form: Sources conflict: Downing (citing Lindley) describes the fruit as roundish oblate; Bunyard describes it as round conical, irregular.
Stem: Medium length, set in a rather deep cavity. (Bunyard)
Cavity: Rather deep. (Bunyard)
Calyx: Closed. (Bunyard)
Basin: Shallow, plaited. (Bunyard)
Skin: Yellowish ground, becoming gray russet-brown in the sun, with darker russety specks (Downing/Lindley). Bunyard describes a yellow ground with a reddish-brown flush, covered with russet.
Flesh/Flavor: Firm, greenish white (Downing/Lindley) or greenish (Bunyard). Flavor described as brisk and saccharine (Downing/Lindley); Bunyard gives simply sweet. Bunyard rates it as of no particular merit as a dessert fruit.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
November to March (Downing/Lindley). Bunyard gives use as a dessert apple until April, suggesting a slightly longer keeping period.
Uses
Dessert. (Bunyard)
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Wheeler's Russet. An Apple originated in Gloucester, England, and described by Lindley, as: Fruit medium, roundish oblate, yellowish, gray russet brown in the sun, and darker russety specks. Flesh firm, greenish white, brisk, saccharine. November to March.
— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)WHEELER'S RUSSET. Her. Pom., 33. F., Reinette Grise de Wheeler. Dessert, till April, medium, 2¾ by 2½, round conical, irregular. Colour, yellow with reddish-brown flush, covered with russet. Flesh, firm, greenish, sweet. Eye, closed in a shallow plaited basin. Stem, medium, in a rather deep cavity. Growth, moderate; fertility, moderate. Origin, uncertain. Known in 1717. English. Of no particular merit.