White Nonpareil
Apple
White Nonpareil
Origin/History
No notice of the origin of this variety is recorded (Herefordshire Pomona). Downing likewise provides no origin information.
Tree
The tree is vigorous and productive (Downing), with the ordinary growth and character of the Nonpareil race (Herefordshire Pomona). This variety is often greatly in favour with those who grow it (Herefordshire Pomona).
Fruit
Size and Form: Fruit medium in size (Downing), much resembling the Old Nonpareil in size and shape (Herefordshire Pomona). The Herefordshire Pomona describes it as oblate and obscurely ribbed, especially about the eye; Downing describes it as roundish and depressed at the ends. Both accounts agree on a flattened profile, though they differ in the degree of roundness.
Stem: Half an inch to three-quarters of an inch long, slender, and straight (Herefordshire Pomona).
Cavity: Deep and wide (Herefordshire Pomona).
Calyx: Closed, with broad, flat segments slightly recurved at the tips (Herefordshire Pomona).
Basin: Considerable; plaited and slightly angular (Herefordshire Pomona).
Skin: The two sources broadly agree on a greenish-yellow ground with a reddish or russet overlay, but differ in detail. The Herefordshire Pomona describes the shaded side as greenish or yellowish green, with a brownish red tinge on the side next the sun; the whole surface is sprinkled with russet dots and a thin coat of grey russet, especially round the eye. Downing describes the skin as greenish yellow, almost entirely covered with reddish gray — suggesting a heavier flush than the Herefordshire Pomona account.
Flesh and Flavor: The two sources conflict. The Herefordshire Pomona describes the flesh as greenish, tender, crisp, very juicy, and sweet, with a rich flavour, though not so rich as that of the Old Nonpareil. Downing describes the flesh as white, half firm, sugary, and acid.
Season
The Herefordshire Pomona places this variety in season from December to February. Downing gives "May" with a source citation (Soc. V. Mon.), which conflicts substantially with the Herefordshire Pomona's winter season; the Downing entry may reflect a different authority's data or a citation abbreviation rather than a ripening month.
Uses
A good dessert apple (Herefordshire Pomona).
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 3 catalogs (1900–1917) from England
- George Bunyard & Co. , Royal Nurseries, Maidstone, Kent , England — 1900
- George Bunyard & Co. , Royal Nurseries, Maidstone, Kent , England — 1914
- George Bunyard & Co. , Royal Nurseries, Maidstone, Kent , England — 1917
View original book sources (2)
— Woolhope Naturalists Field Club, The Herefordshire Pomona (1885)
- WHITE NONPAREIL.
There is no notice of the origin of this variety.
Description.—Fruit: much resembling the Old Nonpareil in size and shape; oblate and obscurely ribbed, especially about the eye. Skin: greenish or yellowish green on the shaded side, and covered with a brownish red tinge on the side next the sun; the whole surface sprinkled with russet dots and a thin coat of grey russet, especially round the eye. Eye: closed, with broad, flat segments slightly recurved at the tips, set in a considerable basin, which is plaited and slightly angular. Stalk: half an inch to three-quarters long, slender, straight, and inserted in a deep, wide cavity. Flesh: greenish, tender, crisp, very juicy, sweet, and with a rich flavour, but not so rich as that of the Old Nonpareil.
A good dessert apple, in season from December to February. The tree has the ordinary growth and character of the Nonpareil race, and this variety is often greatly in favour with those who grow it.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)White Nonpareil.
Tree vigorous and productive.
Fruit medium, roundish, depressed at the ends. Skin greenish yellow, almost entirely covered with reddish gray. Flesh white, half firm, sugary, acid. May. (Soc. V. Mon.)