Winter Gray Reinette
AppleWinter Gray Reinette
Origin / History
The description in this source is taken from Hogg. Downing notes that among the Reinettes there is considerable confusion regarding identity and expression of confidence awaits gathering and growing all varieties in the same grounds.
Tree
Healthy, vigorous, productive.
Fruit
Size & Form: Medium; roundish, flattened on the sides, broadest at base.
Color & Skin: Dull yellowish green in the shade, with a patch of thin dull brownish red in the sun, which sun-facing side is so covered with brown russet that little color is visible.
Stem: Very short.
Calyx: Closed.
Flesh & Flavor: Yellow, firm, crisp, rich, juicy, sugary.
Cavity, Basin, Core, Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
November to May.
Subtypes / Variants
Rivers Variant (received and fruited by Downing from Rivers nursery):
- Size: Small
- Form: Oblate, depressed
- Color & Skin: Dull yellowish gray russet with indistinct raised dots
- Stem: Long, slender
- Calyx: Closed
- Flesh & Flavor: Whitish, firm, moderately juicy, rich, brisk subacid
- Quality: Good
- Season: December to May
Album of Pomology Description: Large, roundish, dull pale yellow, overlaid with dull greenish russet.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Winter Gray Reinette.
Reinette Grise d'Hiver. Reinette Grise Extra. Belle Fille. Prager. Reinette Grise. Grauwe Franse Rennett. Reinette Grise Francaise.
Among the Reinettes there is a world of confusion, and we feel no confidence in correctness until such time as they may be gathered and grown all in the same grounds. The present description of this variety is taken from Hogg. Tree healthy, vigorous, productive.
Fruit medium, roundish, flattened on the sides, broadest at base, dull yellowish green in the shade, with a patch of thin dull brownish red in the sun, which side is so covered with brown russet that little color is visible. Stalk very short. Calyx closed. Flesh yellow, firm, crisp, rich, juicy, sugary. November to May.
We have received and fruited a Winter Gray Reinette from Rivers, which is small, oblate, depressed, dull yellowish gray russet, indistinct raised dots. Stalk long, slender. Calyx closed. Flesh whitish, firm, moderately juicy, rich, brisk subacid. Good. December to May.
The Album of Pomology also describes a Winter Gray Reinette as large, roundish, dull pale yellow, overlaid with dull greenish russet.