Apple Variety Descriptions (M-R)

Magnum Bonum (Bonum, Maggie Bonum, Red Bonum) - A long-time Southern favorite and one of the finest early fall apples available. It originated in 1828 in Davidson County, North Carolina when John Kinny planted seeds of the Hall apple, another old time Southern favorite. It was once a very popular commercial variety in Virginia grown for its fine flavor and the hardy and productive nature of the tree. Fruit size is medium or smaller. The yellow skin is mostly covered in light red and darker red streaks with numerous white dots over the surface. The fine-grained, aromatic white flesh is often stained with red near the outer skin. Ripens September to October and keeps fairly well if properly stored. Fruit Picture

Maiden's Blush (Lady Blush, Red Cheek) - Originated in Burlington, New Jersey in 1817 and first named by Samuel Allinson. It is a very lovely apple with a sharp, tangy flavor well suited for cooking. When the fruit is fully ripe, the sharp flavor mellows a bit and makes a very tasty fresh eating apple. It also makes an excellent drying apple as the flesh remains very white when fully dried. Fruit medium to large with smooth, pale waxen yellow skin with a crimson blush. The fine white flesh is crisp, tender, very juicy, and very tart. Ripens July to September depending on location. Bloom Picture Fruit Picture

Mann (Diltz, Deiltz) - Originated as a chance seedling in 1850 in the orchard of Judge Mooney of Oswego County, New York. It was introduced into Niagara County, New York by a Dr. Mann and later named for him by the Western New York State Horticultural Society. Fruit medium to large with greenish to deep yellow skin and sometimes lightly covered with patches of russet. Flesh is yellow, firm, and juicy. Ripens late fall and keeps into the early spring.

Margaret (Early Margaret, Early Striped Juneating, Striped June) - A very old variety originating in England and sold in the South for many years as Striped June or Early Striped June. Margaret is characterized by its small to medium size with an oblong to slightly conical shape. The skin is yellow with dark red striping concentrated most at the stem end. The crisp, white flesh is tender, juicy, and quite flavorful for an early season apple. Ripens June to July.

Mattamuskeet - Mattamuskeet probably originated near Lake Mattamuskeet in Hyde County, North Carolina. Legend has it that the seed was taken from the gizzard of a wild goose by the Mattamuskeet Indians. The fruit hangs well on the tree and ripens in November. Fruit is medium-sized and slightly conical or irregular in shape. Skin is greenish-yellow and covered with dull purplish or rusty overtones. Flesh is dull yellow, firm, juicy, and acid when picked, but mellows in storage.
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May Apple (Yellow May, White Juneating, May Pippin) - One of the earliest season apples and perhaps one of the oldest. Many early sources describe this apple as White Juneating which is believed to have originated in Europe during the Middle Ages. It was long valued in the South for its early ripening characteristics, but was eventually surpassed in popularity with the introduction of Yellow Transparent, an even earlier variety. Fruit is medium to large with pale yellow skin frequently with a slight reddish blush. The tender white flesh is juicy and quite tart. Ripens late May to June. Bloom Picture Fruit Picture

McIntosh (McIntosh Red) - The most important commercial variety grown in the north for years, McIntosh is also a fine apple long grown and admired in many regions of the south. It was discovered in 1811 as a young seedling tree in Dundas County, Ontario, Canada by John McIntosh, an American who had recently emigrated to the area from New York state. By 1835, he was selling grafted trees which quickly became local favorites, producing apples sought after for their great flavor, dependability, and keeping qualities. The original tree at the McIntosh homestead finally blew down and died in 1910. Fruit is medium-sized, roundish to slightly flattened with smooth, thin, whitish-yellow skin mostly covered with a deep red blush. The firm, crisp, white flesh is juicy, very aromatic and sometimes stained with red streaks. Ripens September to December and is a good keeper.
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Medaille d'Or- A classic English cider apple which actually originated in Boisguillaume, France in the 1800's. It was introduced into England in 1884 by the Woolhope Naturalists’ Field Club where it was embraced for its outstanding cider qualities. It is a bittersweet fruit which produces a sweet, astringent juice high in tannins and converts into a cider with high alcohol content and a strong, fruity flavor. Fruit is orange and yellow in color with a russet coating. Ripens in November. Bloom Picture Fruit Picture

Melred (Melba Red, Melba, Platts) A red sport of Melba which originated with the Canadian Department of Agriculture in 1936. A colorful red apple with very flavorful juicy, sweet flesh. Fruit is small to medium in size with a roundish conic shape. The skin is yellow overlaid with a pinkish blush and dark red shading. A fine apple with a few drawbacks. It is highly susceptible to apple scab and the fruit tends to drop prematurely. A very early bloomer ripening in late August.

Melrose - A cross of Jonathan and Red Delicious released in 1944 by Freeman S. Howlett of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station in Wooster. Described as brisk and refreshing with plenty of sweetness, Melrose is a fine commercial variety raised in the United States and France. Fruit is medium to large, irregular in shape and sometimes ribbed. Skin is greenish-yellow with a dull copper-red blush and occasional russeting. The creamy, green-tinged flesh is firm and crisp with an excellent flavor and quality. Ripens in late October and is a very good keeper.

Michelin - This is an old and long popular English cider apple which originated with M. Legrand of Yvetot, Normandy around 1872. It was named after M.. Michelin, a well-known aficionado of cider apples. The apple was introduced into England in 1884 by the Woolhope Naturalists’ Field Club. Fruit is small and pale green in color. It produces a sweet juice resulting in a clean, bittersweet cider ideal for blending with other ciders. Ripens late October to November. Fruit Picture

Milam (Blair, Harrigan, Thomas) - Milam was first introduced into Illinois in 1902 as Red Winter Pearmain, but is thought to have originally come from Virginia or Kentucky. It is small to medium with smooth, greenish-yellow skin overlaid with light red, but becoming much darker red when exposed to the sun. Greenish-white flesh is tender, crisp, juicy and somewhat coarse in texture. Ripens September to October and keeps until January or later.

Missouri Pippin (Missouri Keeper, Missouri Orange, Stone’s Eureka) - In 1839, Brinkley Hornsby first settled in Johnson County, Missouri, bringing with him apple seeds which he planted immediately on his new homestead. One of these seeds produced a seedling tree which first fruited in 1854. Referred to as his "dollars and cents" apple by Mr. Hornsby, it was later named Missouri Pippin and by 1869 was propagated and sold in St. Louis as Missouri Keeper. Noted for its very early bearing ability, it was a popular variety with commercial growers who used it as a "filler" tree in orchards before being removed to provide room for the primary varieties. Fruit is medium to large, roundish to conical and flattened on the ends. The thick, smooth skin is greenish-yellow mostly covered with dark and light red stripes and shading. The yellowish-white flesh is firm, coarse and breaking. Ripens November to December and is a good keeper. Fruit Picture

Mother (Gardener’s Apple, American Mother, Queen Anne) - Mother originated in the nineteenth century on the farm of Gen. Stephen P. Gardner of Bolton, Massachusetts. It is well adapted to the South and was very well known in central North Carolina. Medium size fruit is slightly oblong with thin, smooth, golden yellow skin mostly covered with red splashes and striping. Flesh is yellow, fine-grained, tender and juicy with a pleasant aroma. Ripens August to September in warmer areas, September to November in mountains. Fruit Picture

Mountain Boomer (Mount Boomer, Seek No Further) - First described in 1900 by the Virginia State Horticultural Society. Not widely distributed, the apple was most popular in Tennessee and Kentucky in the early part of the twentieth century. Fruit is large to very large with pale greenish-yellow skin with an occasional red blush. Although not considered a first-rate dessert apple, it is an excellent cooking and baking apple. Mild flavored with firm, juicy flesh. Ripens in September in the mountains. Fruit Picture

Mountain Rose - Discovered as a wild seedling here in Ashe County, Mountain Rose is an exceptionally attractive early fall apple with a pleasant, tangy flavor. The tree is vigorous, strongly branched and very prolific. Fruit is small to medium with beautiful, smooth lemon-yellow skin with a faint rose blush on the sunny side. The yellowish white flesh is tender, crisp and juicy. Ripens September. Fruit Picture

Mrs. Bryan (Bryan) - This apple arose in the mid-1800's from seeds planted by Robert Boatman of Walker County, Georgia. It was named for Mrs. J. W. Bryan of Lookout Mountain, Georgia, who was a noted member of the Georgia Horticultural Society. The tree is a very productive and dependable bearer and produces a large, showy, colorful apple. Long extinct in this country, Lee Calhoun of Pittsboro, North Carolina, obtained scionwood in the early 1990's from the fruit collection of the National Fruit Trust of Kent, England. Fruit is large, roundish to conical, with greenish-yellow skin with an reddish-orange blush and occasional light red stripes. The creamy white flesh is tender, coarse and somewhat dry. Ripens July to August, but can be picked into October in mountainous areas.

Munson's Sweet (Orange Sweet, Ray Apple, Northern Sweet) - Munson’s Sweet is a prolific apple originating in Massachusetts before 1849 and was once widely available through several Southern nurseries, but is considered a rare variety today. It is an attractive, medium-sized apple having a smooth, but thick, tough golden-yellow skin with an occasional red blush. The yellow-tinged flesh is moderately fine-grained, tender, juicy and very sweet. Ripens late September to November.

Muskmelon Sweet - As described in Lee Calhoun's book, Old Southern Apples, T. Blaine Poole of Fries, Virginia, contacted Lee in 1986 telling him of a Muskmelon Sweet apple tree. Mr. Poole described this as his favorite apple when he was a boy with the only tree belonging to nearby neighbors. After the harvest, the neighbors stored boxes of the apples in an unused room in their house. Mr. Poole would detour by the house on his way to school and, using a long sharpened stick, would spear apples through a broken pane in the window. As far as he knew, the neighbors never figured out where the apples disappeared!

Newtown Pippin (Albemarle Pippin, Green Winter Pippin, New York Pippin, Virginia Pippin) - A venerable old variety originating in New York in the early 1800's. There are two recognized Newtown Pippins - Green Newtown Pippin and Yellow Newtown Pippin. One is the originator of the other, but as to which came first is unknown. Yellow Newtown Pippin is the most well known and a long-time southern favorite. It is a medium to large apple, greenish-yellow in color with hints of pink at the stem end. The yellowish flesh is firm, crisp, and very aromatic. A good storage apple ripening in October and keeping into February or later. Fruit Picture

Nickajack (Summerour, Winter Horse, Jackson Red, Missouri Red, Aberdeen, Howard, Mobbs, World's Wonder) - Believed to have originated in the 1800's with the Cherokee Indians on Nickajack Creek, Macon County, North Carolina. Although not noted for its fresh eating qualities, Nickajack was favored for its large size, dependability and long keeping ability. Fruit medium to large with greenish-yellow skin shaded with dark red. Slightly yellowish flesh is firm and juicy with a brisk subacid flavor. Ripens late November in mountains, September in warmer areas. Bloom Picture Fruit Picture

Norfolk Beefing (Norfolk Beaufin, Catshead Beaufin) - Norfolk Beefing is an old English apple variety used primarily for cooking and drying. It was first described in this country in the 1840's but was not listed in any southern nursery catalogs. A medium to large apple that hangs on the tree into January or later. It is greenish-yellow in color with a dull red coating and faintly striped. The greenish-white flesh is crisp and juicy and sweetens in storage. Considered a good keeper.

North Carolina Keeper (Carolina Keeper) - North Carolina Keeper is believed to come out of Davidson County, North Carolina, in the late 1800's. There is some confusion as to its heritage with some early sources saying it is a seedling of Gilpin, a very similar variety. Calhoun says North Carolina Keeper closely resembles Bullet and may be identical to that old North Carolina variety. Fruit size is medium or smaller, conical, with yellow skin mostly covered with red and darker red striping. Flesh is yellow, crisp and juicy. Ripens late winter and is an excellent winter keeper.

Northern Spy (Northern Spice, Spy) - A superb apple of Northern heritage which attains its greatest potential as a mountain grown apple. When grown in warmer areas it lacks the crispness and flavor of fruit grown in cooler regions. The apple originated about 1800 in East Bloomfield, New York and soon became popular throughout the United States. Fruit is a good keeper and an excellent cooker. Also great as a fresh picked fruit with a spicy, aromatic flavor. Large, roundish fruit with smooth, thin, dark red skin. The clean, white flesh is fine-grained, tender, crisp and juicy. An excellent keeper which ripens in October.

Notley Pea No. 1 (Knotty Pea, Notly Pippin No. 1) - A very large fall apple which originated in North Carolina according to an 1863 nursery catalog from Pennsylvania. It was described in an 1855 North Carolina catalog as, "one of the best large apples." It is a fine processing apple as it holds its shape well when canned. It has a very pleasant flavor and ripens October to November.

Old Fashioned Winesap (Holland’s Red Winter, Blacktwig, Winter Winesap) - Probably the most popular apple in the South but is of northern heritage. Originated in New Jersey around 1800 and has given rise to many other famous Southern apples including Kinnaird’s Choice, Stayman, and Arkansas Black. Grows well in nearly all soil types and noted for its excellent storage qualities. Fruit is medium-sized with dark yellow skin mostly covered with stripes of dark red. Yellow flesh is crisp, firm and very juicy. Wonderful flavor with a snap or "twang" that is characteristic of this famous apple. Ripens in October. Bloom Picture

Oliver (Senator, Oliver’s Red) - In the early 1800's, John Oliver of Washington County, Arkansas raised an apple tree on his farm that produced a striking red apple with large, distinctive dots, or lenticels, over the skin’s surface. It became a very popular local variety and was widely grown in the Ozarks of Arkansas. In 1895, Stark Bro’s Nursery sold this apple under the trademarked name, Senator. Valued for its size and high quality, it was especially noted for its long keeping abilities. Fruit size is medium to large with thick, smooth, glossy yellow skin overlaid with rich-red and streaks of darker red. The surface is punctuated with large, conspicuous, light colored dots. The yellowish flesh is fine-grained and juicy and often stained with red. Ripens October to November and is an excellent keeper. Fruit Picture

Ophir According to Joyce Neighbors of Gadsden, Alabama, this old apple originated as a seedling in North Carolina more than 80 years ago and is described a fine fresh eating apple. Ours has not fruited for us to date but we hope to offer more details when it does.

Ortley (Ortley Pippin, White Bellflower, Woolman’s Long Pippin) - More commonly known in the South as White Bellflower, Ortley originated in the 1800's in New Jersey where it was first described as Woolman’s Long Pippin. The fruit resembles the better known Yellow Bellflower, but is less acid in flavor. Fruit is medium to large, conical, with greasy yellow skin occasionally having a fine red blush. The creamy white flesh is tender and juicy. Ripens October to January.

Ozark Gold - This apple is a cross of A1291 and Golden Delicious and was developed at the Missouri State Agricultural Experimental Station and introduced in 1970. It is similar in flavor and appearance to Golden Delicious but ripens about three weeks earlier. It bears young and shows some disease resistance but is a biennial bearer. It is a large to very large apple with bright yellow waxy skin.

Park's Pippin (Gilmer Pippin) - This apple originated about 1850 on the farm of Monroe Parks of North Georgia and has been a very popular variety in that state for years. It is most valued for its cooking qualities, being too tart for fresh eating unless fully ripe. It makes outstanding apple butter, jelly and cider. The fruit is large, with greenish-yellow skin often having a red blush. Ripens late fall and is a very good keeper. Fruit Picture

Parmer (Parmar, Yellow Flat) - An apple of Virginia origin arising sometime in the 18^th century, but never very well known or widely distributed. It is quite an attractive yellow apple popular for making a thick, dark yellow applesauce. It was also very popular for making apple brandy. It was said that if a grower had several Parmer trees in his yard, the neighbors knew he was most certainly making illegal brandy! Fruit is small to medium, conical-shaped, with deep yellow skin and irregular patches of russet all over. The dark yellow flesh is fine-grained, crisp, and subacid in flavor. Ripens July to August.

Peck's Pleasant (Peck, Dutch Greening, Watts Apple) - This is a very fine dessert apple originating in Rhode Island in the early 1800's. Fruit is medium to large with a variable shape, often with a distinctive furrow on one side. Skin is mostly green when first picked, but becomes a lovely clear yellow with a blush after ripening in storage. The aromatic yellow flesh is firm, tender, and juicy. Ripens September to October.

Pewaukee - In the mid-1800's, George P. Peffer of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, crossed Duchess of Oldenburg with Northern Spy to produce Pewaukee. It is a fine dessert and cooking apple and is most noted for its winter hardiness, a trait inherited from its parent, Duchess of Oldenburg. Though considered only fair for fresh eating quality, it is a vigorous, productive tree and grows quite well with minimal care. Fruit size is medium to large with smooth, thin, greenish-yellow skin mottled with orange-red and striped with carmine. The whitish flesh is firm, coarse, and very juicy. Ripens in November and is a good keeper.

Pilot (Virginia Pilot) - Pilot is a wonderful old Virginia apple which originated about 1830 on the farm of John Lobban at the base of Pilot Mountain in Nelson Co., Virginia. Thought to be extinct, it was discovered by our friend, Tom Burford, in 1989 in Monroe, Virginia. It is best suited for growing in the mountains and foothills, performing poorly when grown below 1000 feet in elevation. Fruit is large, roundish to oblate with pale yellow skin heavily striped and shaded with dull red. The yellow flesh is fine-grained, firm, tender and juicy with a slightly aromatic fragrance. Ripens in October and is an excellent keeper.

Pink Pearl - A beautiful apple with startling bright pink flesh and very attractive crimson-pink blossoms. Introduced in 1944 by the renowned California plant breeder, Albert Etter, Pink Pearl is a wonderful table apple which makes a beautiful and tasty pink applesauce. Fruit is medium-sized with a distinctive conical shape. The skin is creamy pale green with bright pink flesh. Flesh is crisp, fine-grained and aromatic with a delicious sweet-tart flavor. Ripens in August. Bloom Picture Fruit Picture

Pitmaston Pineapple (Pitmaston Pine) - A small but wonderful old russet apple which arose in England around 1785. Long appreciated as a very fine dessert apple. It is somewhat conical-shaped with a rich yellow color overlaid with a fine tawny russet. The creamy-yellow flesh is tender and juicy with a rich, sugary flavor. Ripens in mid-September. Bloom Picture Fruit Picture

Polly Eades - Discovered in 1884 in Robards, Kentucky and widely sold throughout the region. Believed to be an offspring of the more well-known Horse apple, Polly Eades is a late bloomer, thus escaping most late spring frosts. Tree bears early and produces a fruit which can be used for cooking or fresh eating. Fruit is medium to large, slightly conical with deep yellow skin with a red blush on the sunny side. Yellowish flesh is juicy, tender, aromatic, and rather tart. Ripens July to August. Bloom Picture Fruit Picture

Pomme Gris (Gray Apple, Pomme Grise, Grise) - Pomme Grise may have originated with the French people of the St. Lawrence valley in Canada, but it is also possible it came into Canada from Europe. Although not a particularly attractive fruit, it is an excellent dessert apple. Fruit size is medium to small with thick, tough greenish-yellow skin almost entirely covered with a brownish russet. The rich, juicy yellow flesh is firm, crisp, and aromatic. Ripens in September and is a fairly good keeper. Fruit Picture

Porter (Jennings, Yellow Summer Pearmain) - One of many apples of northern origin that gained popularity in the South for its many fine cooking and eating qualities. It originated around 1800 in Sherburne, Massachusetts and was named for Rev. Samuel Porter who first grew the apple. It gained immense publicity when it was recommended in the famous Fanny Farmer Boston Cookbook as a superb cooking apple. When cooked, it retains its flavor and shape quite well. Fruit is small to large, roundish to slightly oblong or conical. The thin, smooth skin is greenish-yellow with a reddish-orange blush on the sunny side, sometimes with crimson red spots. Flesh is yellow, fine-grained, juicy and aromatic. Ripens August to September. Fruit Picture

Porter's Perfection A high quality bittersharp cider apple which originated in the orchard of Charles Porter of East Lambrook, Somerset, sometime during the 19th century. Introduced in 1907 and was soon widely propagated throughout Somerset. It produces a sharp juice with little astringency. Ripens late October to early November.

Priestly (Priestly’s American, Red Cathead, Bartlett) - Priestly originated in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and was first described in 1817. A fine fresh eating apple noted for its keeping ability, staying fresh and quite juicy until late spring. The tree is vigorous, productive and a dependable annual bearer. Fruit is medium to large, covered with red and darker red stripes. The yellowish-white flesh is firm, coarse and very juicy. Ripens November to December. Fruit Picture

Primate (July Apple, Harvest Apple, Belle Rose) - Primate is a high-quality apple which originated about 1840 on the farm of Calvin D. Bingham of Camillus, New York. It is an ideal apple for the home orchard as it ripens over a period of several weeks, extending the harvest for the home grower. The fruit is medium-sized and frequently ribbed. The thin, yellow skin is often blushed with red on the sunny side. The tender white flesh is aromatic, crisp, and juicy. Ripens July to September.

Priscilla - This apple is a cross of Starking and Purdue 610-2 bred and developed through a cooperative program of Purdue, Rutgers and Illinois Universities. It was developed to be highly disease resistant, especially to apple scab, but is also moderately resistant to fireblight and mildew. It was introduced in 1972 and was named for the wife of F. D. Hovde, president of Purdue University. Fruit is medium sized and roundish-conical in shape, similar to Jonathan. Skin is smooth with a deep red blush. The cream-colored flesh is tender, juicy, and sweet. Ripens November.

Pumpkin Sweet (Pound Sweet, Pound Sweeting, Pumpkin Sweeting, Rhode Island Sweet, Round Sweet, Vermont Sweet, Lyman’s Pumpkin Sweet, Sweet Pumpkin, Yankee Apple) - The name for this apple is derived from its large size and yellowish-orange color. It originated in 1800's in the orchards of S. Lyman of Manchester, Connecticut and was first recorded in 1834. It has long been a popular apple in the South sought out for its culinary qualities. It is excellent for baking or canning, but less desirable for fresh eating. Fruit is large to very large with tough, smooth skin with patches of russet, occasionally showing a brownish-red blush. The yellow flesh is firm, crisp, juicy, and very sweet. Ripens October or later. Fruit Picture

Rainbow An old Stark Bros. apple which originated in Missouri around 1900. A large fruit with yellow skin colorfully striped with red. The yellow flesh is juicy and fine-grained. Ripens in August to September. Fruit Picture

Ralls Janet (Neverfail, Jefferson Pippin, Royal Janette) - An apple with a long, convoluted history, Ralls Janet first gained attention in 1800 where it was grown on the farm of Caleb Ralls in Amherst County, Virginia. Fruit is medium to large with thin greenish-yellow skin covered with pinkish red and overlaid with dark red striping. The yellowish flesh is fine-grained, crisp and juicy. Ripens in October and is an excellent keeper. Fruit Picture

Ramsdell Sweet (Ramsdale’s Red Pumpkin Sweet, English Sweet, Hurlbut) - Ramsdell Sweet originated in Connecticut, and, although a fine, attractive fresh eating apple, was not widely sold by southern nurseries. It was introduced by Rev. H. S. Ramsdell of Thompson, Connecticut in 1838 and officially catalogued by the American Pomological Society in 1862. Fruit is medium to large, conic to rectangular in shape with yellow skin nearly covered with dark red and darker red striping. The yellowish-white flesh is firm, tender and very sweet, but can become mealy if overripe. Ripens in September.

Rattle Core (Rattler) - This is an old mountain apple with the unusual trait of having loose seeds in a hollow central core that makes a distinct rattling sound when the fruit is shaken. Known as Rattle Core in North Carolina, it is also known as Rattler in parts of West Virginia. Some older literature describe two other apples, Hollow Core Pippin and Rattle-Box, both of which may be the same apple as Rattle Core. Fruit is medium or smaller with greenish-yellow skin thinly striped with red. The white flesh is tender and juicy. Ripens September to October.

Razor Russet - A fine flavored apple discovered as a limb mutation of Golden Delicious in the Browning Orchard near Wallingford, KY, by the late W. Armstrong, former Extension Specialist with the University of Kentucky. Fruit is large, symmetrical round to somewhat conical and uniformly golden-brown. Flavor is rich and robust with a little more spiciness than Golden Delicious. Very productive. Ripens late September. Fruit Picture

Red Astrachan - (Red Ashmore, Abe Lincoln, Captain) - Second only to Winesap as the most widely sold Southern apple and one of the most widely distributed throughout the world. A very popular American apple first originating in Russia and brought to this country in 1870. Fruit medium sized and distinctly lobed in appearance. The thin, pale yellow skin in nearly covered with bright red and crimson splashes and stripes. White flesh is often tinged with red streaks and is coarse, crisp, moderately juicy and briskly subacid in flavor. Ripens early in June to July. Bloom Picture Fruit Picture

Red Detroit (Cherokee, Norga) - This apple of northern Georgia is often confused with the more well known variety, Detroit Red. The exact date of origin is unclear but it was examined by USDA experts in 1924 and was determined to be different from the northern Detroit Red. It was grown for more than a century in the area around Blue Ridge in northern Georgia and was a commercial variety in northern Alabama and southeast Tennessee. A late bloomer which ripens in July-August and makes an excellent drying apple.

Red Reese (Reese) - This is an old Alabama apple which originated in Randolph County and produced its first fruit in 1911. Our friend, Joyce Neighbors of Alabama, found this apple in the orchard of Doyle Baker of Berry, Alabama, which had been planted in 1988. Fruit is medium-sized, roundish conical, irregular, with greenish-yellow skin splashed with red. Ripens in September.

Reverend Morgan - A local family heirloom of the Deep South, originating in Houston, Texas, an area not conducive to growing a wide variety of apples. The apple was first raised by Reverend Herman T. Morgan in 1965 from seeds of Granny Smith and produced its first fruit in 1972. It is well adapted to most regions and has been raised in agricultural zones 7 through 9 as well as areas further north. Fruit is medium to large, roundish-conical with rich pinkish-red skin. A fine quality apple that ripens in August. Fruit Picture

Rhode Island Greening (Burlington, Ganges, Green Winter Pippin) - This historic old American apple originated about 1650 at Green’s End, Newport, Rhode Island. At the end of the 19^th century, it was one of New York’s most important commercial varieties, surpassed only by Baldwin. It is a vigorous and long-lived tree but does well in the South only at higher altitudes. It is an excellent winter keeper and one of the best cooking apples available. It is a very fine substitute for the more commonly known Granny Smith. The fruit is large, uniformly round in shape and flattened on the ends. The dark, waxy green skin turns a greenish-yellow when fully ripe. The fine-grained yellow flesh is tender, crisp, juicy and quite tart in flavor. Ripens September to October and keeps until February or longer. Bloom Picture Fruit Picture

Ribston Pippin (Ribston, Reinette Grenade Anglaise, Travers Pippin) - A very high quality English dessert apple first discovered at Ribston Hall near Knaresborough, Yorkshire. It is believed to have originated from seeds brought into England from Rouen, France in 1688. In 1962, it received the Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. It is described by Morgan and Richards as the most highly esteemed Victorian dessert apple. Fruit size is medium to large with unequally large ribs giving the apple an irregular shape. Skin is greenish-yellow flushed with brownish-orange and numerous red stripes. The flesh is pale yellow, rich, firm, and juicy. Ripens September to October.

Roman Stem (French Pippin) - This fine American apple arose in Burlington, New Jersey, and was first described in 1817. The name is derived from the appearance of a prominent fleshy protuberance at the base of the stem which is said to resemble an aquiline "Roman nose". The vigorous growing tree has a spreading growth habit and is very productive. Fruit is small and round with whitish yellow skin and having a slight brown flush and small dark russet patches. The tender yellow flesh is tender, mild and juicy, with a rich, spicy and aromatic flavor. Ripens in September.

Rome Beauty (Rome, Gillett's Seedling, Foust's Rome Beauty, Phoenix, Royal Red, Starbuck, Roman Beauty) - One of the most important US commercial varieties for many years, Rome Beauty is considered one of the best cooking and processing varieties available. It originated around 1817 when Zebulon and Joel Gillette, along with their brother-in-law, bought several fruit trees from a nurseryman in Marietta, Ohio. The trees were taken to Rome Township in Lawrence County, Ohio, and planted there in the Gillette orchard. According to the historical literature, Joel Gillette pulled off a root sprout and gave it to his son, saying, "Here is a democrat, you can have it." The sprout was transplanted in a corner of the orchard and within a few years began producing large and attractive dark red apples. Fruit is large to very large, roundish to somewhat oblate in shape. The thick, smooth skin is yellowish-green almost entirely covered with bright red and dark carmine stripes. The yellow flesh is firm, crisp and juicy with a tangy pleasing flavor. Ripens in September to October and keeps well. Fruit Picture

Roxbury Russet (Boston Russet, Russet Golden, Leather Coat) - Roxbury Russet is perhaps the most popular russet apple grown in the south. It is the oldest American apple and was introduced in Roxbury, Massachusetts with the arrival of the Pilgrims. Fruit is medium to large with dull greenish-yellow skin covered with a rough brownish-yellow russet coat. The greenish-white flesh is coarse, firm and juicy with a pleasing, brisk flavor. Ripens September to October and is a very good keeper.

Rusty Coat (Sweet Rusty Coat?) - An old, well-known variety popular in the South. Origin difficult to trace as any apple with heavy russeting on the outer skin was typically called "Rusty Coat." Small to medium in size with dark greenish-yellow skin and indistinct red striping overlaid with a heavy, coarse russet coat. Flesh is crisp, tender and somewhat dry with a pleasant, sweet nutty flavor. Ripens early September. Fruit Picture