Pyrus communis ‘Léon Leclerc de Laval’
‘Fruit large, long-obovate, and rounding towards the eye. Skin smooth and shining, yellow, strewed with brown dots, and marked with tracings of russet. Eye large, with long, straight, narrow segments, set in a shallow basin. Stalk an inch and a half long, inserted without depression by the side of a fleshy lip. Flesh white, half-melting or crisp, juicy, sweet, and perfumed. An excellent stewing pear, which in some seasons is half-melting, and is in use from January till May and June.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.197/1860].
Horticultural & Botanical History
I am unsure of its exact date of introduction as Pears of New York gives conflicting dates. ‘Van Mons raised a pear in 1816 which he dedicated to Léon Leclerc. The proper name of the latter pear is Léon Leclerc de Laval.’ [Pears of New York p.190]. ‘This, [Léon Leclerc de Laval] which is different from Léon Leclerc (Van Mons), was obtained at Louvain in 1825 by Van Mons.’ [Pears of New York p.446].
‘Léon Leclerc de Laval’ is figured in Album de Pomologie [ADP vol.1, pl.22/1847], the illustration used here.
History at Camden Park
Listed only in the 1857 catalogue in an Addendum as ‘Blanc perne’ [Pear no.51/1850]. ‘51. One of the very finest late pears.’ [Diary B, MP A2951/1862]. Obtained from Veitch’s Nursery, probably the original Exeter premises.
See also ‘Beurré Léon Leclerc’ and ‘Van Mons Léon Leclerc’.
Notes
Published May 20, 2010 - 02:58 PM | Last updated Jul 22, 2011 - 01:34 PM
Pear ‘Léon Leclerc de Laval’ | ADP vol.1, pl.22/1847 | Pomologische Bibliotheke. Léon Leclerc de Laval is the pear on the right.
| Family | Rosaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Garden origin, Belgium |
| Synonyms |
Blanc Perné |
| Common Name | Culinary Pear, winter, spring |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Blanc perne |
| Confidence level | high |
