Malus domestica ‘Royal Russet’
Fruit; large, roundish, somewhat flattened. Skin; covered with rough brown russet on a yellowish-green ground colour, brownish next the sun. Flesh; greenish-yellow, tender, crisp, brisk, juicy, sugary. [HP].
Horticultural & Botanical History
Described and figured in the Pomological Magazine. ‘The French synonym of this valuable variety is, no doubt, accurate; and it is not improbable that the Passe pomme de Canada of the same nation is another name. Trees from the French Royal Gardens have proved so; and the only doubt upon the subject is caused by the name Passe, which usually designates fruit that passes away sooner than that with which it is compared.’ [PM t.125/1830].
Mentioned as early as 1597, and possibly Shakespeare’s ‘Leather coat’ in King Henry IV. Produces a large vigorous tree and a free bearer. ‘A most excellent culinary apple of the first quality. Ripe November to May, although it is apt to shrink and become dry on storage. [HP].
History at Camden Park
Listed as ‘Royal Russet, apple no.63’ in a hand written list of apples in an 1850 catalogue held at Camden Park [CPA]. Most of the plants hand-written in this catalogue subsequently appeared in the 1857 catalogue. That the apples did not is probably an oversight.
Notes
Published Apr 16, 2010 - 04:51 PM | Last updated Jul 24, 2011 - 05:01 PM
Apple ‘Royal Russet’ | PM t.125/1830 | BHL
| Family | Rosaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Garden origin, possibly Europe but I have found no reference to its exact origins |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Apple, Culinary apple, Keeping apple |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Royal Russet
|
| Confidence level | high |