| 'Spartan' | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genus | Malus |
| Species | Malus pumila |
| Hybrid parentage | McIntosh × Unknown |
| Cultivar | Spartan |
| Origin |  Summerland, British Columbia, 1936 |
TheSpartan is an cultivated variety orcultivar of apple developed by R. C Palmer and introduced in 1936 from the Federal Agriculture Research Station inSummerland, British Columbia, now known as thePacific Agri-Food Research Centre - Summerland.[1] The Spartan is notable for being the first new breed of apple produced from a formal scientific breeding program.[2] The apple was initially believed to be a cross between two North American cultivars, theMcIntosh and theNewtown Pippin, but subsequent genetic analysis revealed that the Newtown Pippin was not one of the parents. The identity of this parent remains a mystery. The Spartan is considered a good all-purpose apple.[3] The apple is of medium size and has a bright-red blush, but can have background patches of greens and yellows.[4]
In Canada, almost all Spartan apples are grown in British Columbia.[5]: 38
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