Pyrus communis ‘Beurré de Wetteren’
‘Fruit large, roundish, inclining to turbinate, widest in the middle and tapering obtusely towards each end, uneven in its outline. Skin bright green and shining; dull red on the side next the sun, and covered with large russet spots. Eye open, deeply set. Stalk an inch long, stout, and deeply inserted. Flesh yellowish, coarse-grained, and soon becomes mealy. A showy and peculiar-looking pear, but of no value. Ripe in October.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.168/1860].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘Originated in Louis Berckman's garden at Heyst-op-den-Berg, Bel., and is supposed to have been one of the seedlings raised by Major Espéren, some of whose trees Berckmans obtained after the former's death. It was disseminated about 1848.’ [Pears of New York p.308].
Discovered by M. Louis Berkmans among a number of wild pear trees in his garden, and fruited for the first time in 1847. [Gard. Chron. 1854].
History at Camden Park
Listed only in the 1857 catalogue in an Addendum as ‘Beurré de Wetteren’ [Pear no.39/1857]. In a copy of the 1857 catalogue the number ‘39’ is changed to ‘42’ and this aligns with the diary numbering. ‘42. First quality.’ [Diary B, MP A2951/1862]. Obtained from Veitch’s Nursery, probably the original Exeter premises.
Notes
Published May 19, 2010 - 04:15 PM | Last updated Jul 22, 2011 - 01:51 PM
| Family | Rosaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Garden origin, Belgium |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | Dessert Pear, autumn |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Beurré de Wetteren
|
| Confidence level | high |