| Pear 'Churchland' | |
|---|---|
| Genus | Pyrus |
| Species | Pyrus communis |
| Cultivar | 'Churchland' |
| Origin | New Rochelle, New York, USA |
TheChurchland orChurch is a cultivar of the European pear (Pyrus communis), it was developed inNew Rochelle, New York in northeasternUnited States. It is believed to have originated as a seedling raised by one of the earlyHuguenot settlers of the village in the late 17th century.[1] The original tree stood on land which was owned by theTrinity St. Paul's Church ofNew Rochelle, hence the naming of the fruit "Church".[2] The fruit was so luscious that it was universally liked and, by grafting, the tree soon had extensivepropagation throughout the country. An early account of the tree appeared in the proceedings of theAmerican Pomological Society in 1856.[3]
During its early years, New Rochelle was well known for the propagation of trees and shrubbery. The Huguenot settlers were especially skilled in the development of fruits and flowers. The 'Parsonage' and 'Huntington' pear varieties are also native to the community, as well as the 'Lawton Blackberry', the first widely cultivated blackberry in the country.
The 'Church' Pear is of medium size, approximately 2 to 3 inches in length by 2 1/3 inches wide, and is largest in the middle and tapers both ways. The skin is greenish-yellow in color, russet-ed at the base and crown, with occasionally russet markings on other portions of the exterior. The stem is approximately 1 and three eighths inches long and of a cinnamon color. Its flesh is fine in texture and buttery, and it has a mild flavor. It commences ripening about the middle of July, and continues till the end of September.[4]
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