Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Pyrus communis ‘Doyenné Marbré’

Fruit; medium sized, oval, curved. Skin; pea green ripening to yellowish, thickly dotted, sometimes grey or green. Flesh; yellowish, tender, buttery, melting, slightly gritty at the core, sweet, rich and highly flavoured. Produces a vigorous tree and is an abundant bearer. An excellent late pear. Ripening December to March. [Herefordshire Pomona]. 

Horticultural & Botanical History

Figured in Le Jardin Fruitier du Muséum as ‘De Luçon’ [JFM vol.2/1859] and as ‘Doyenné d’Alençon’ in Album de Pomologie [ADP vol.1, pl.48/1847], the illustration used here.

It resembles the ‘Easter Beurré’ and is often confused with it [Herefordshire Pomona]. Most contemporary references give ‘Doyenné Marbré’ as a synonym of ‘Easter Beurré’. Its origins have been lost but the synonyms suggest that it is of much more recent introduction than ‘Easter Beurré’.

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue in an Addendum as ‘Doyenne Marbre’ [Pear no.55/1857]. Listed in the diary under this name but with no comment. [Diary B, MP A2951/1862]. Obtained from Veitch’s Nursery, probably the original Exeter premises.

Notes

Published May 20, 2010 - 03:20 PM | Last updated Jul 22, 2011 - 01:25 PM

Figured are 2 pears with shoot and leaves, one dark green the other yellow with green spots. Album de Pomologie pl.48, 1847.

Pear ‘Doyenné Marbré’ | ADP vol.1, pl.48/1847 as Doyenné d’Alençon | Pomologische Bibliothek. Doyenné d’Alençon is the yellow pear on the left.

 

Family Rosaceae
Category
Region of origin

Garden origin, unknown

Synonyms
  • Doyenné d’Alençon
  • Doyenné d’Hiver d’Alençon
  • Doyenné d’Hiver Nouveau
  • Doyenné Gris d’Hiver Nouveau
  • St. Michel d’Hiver
  • De Luçon

 

Common Name

Dessert Pear, winter and spring

Name in the Camden Park Record

Doyenne Marbre

Confidence level high