Pyrus communis ‘Ne Plus Meuris’

Horticultural & Botanical History

A seedling from Van Mons, raised in his garden, La Fidélité, at Brussels, and named for his gardener Pierre Meuris [HP pl.LXVIII/1878].

‘Colour green, with brown russet; form oblong, usually very irregular; size above medium; quality excellent; one of the best late pears, although not so handsome.  In use from April to July.’  [NHM vol.1 p79/1864].

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue in an Addendum as ‘Ne plus Meuris’ [Pear no.63/1857]. ‘63. One of the best late pears, not handsome in shape.’ [Diary B, MP A2951/1862]. Obtained from Veitch’s Nursery, probably the original Exeter premises.

Notes

‘Beurré d’Anjou’ is also known as ‘Ne plus Meuris’. It is quite distinct from the ‘Ne plus Meuris’ of Van Mons and is a much less likely possibility identification. ‘Beurre dAnjou is an old French pear the origin of which is obscure, although it is supposed to have originated in the vicinity of Angers. Early in the nineteenth century it was introduced into England by Thomas Rivers, noted author and pomologist.’ [Pears of New York p.127]. It would appear from this that ‘Beurré d’Anjou’ is the name by which this pear was best known in England and it is under this name that it is described by Hogg [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.159/1860]. However, George Lindley gives ‘Beurré d’Anjou’ as a synonym of ‘Brown Beurré’, which see.