Greengage: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
The '''Greengage''' (''Prunus domestica'' 'Reine Claude') is an edible [[drupe|drupaceous]] [[fruit]], a [[cultivar]] of the [[plum]]. It was developed in [[France]] from a green-fruited wild plum originally found in [[Asia Minor]]. It is identified by its small, oval shape, smooth-textured flesh, and ranging in colour from [[green]] to [[yellow]], grown in temperate areas. They are known for their rich, confectionery flavour that cause them to be considered one of the finest dessert plums. |
The '''Greengage''' (''Prunus domestica'' 'Reine Claude') is an edible [[drupe|drupaceous]] [[fruit]], a [[cultivar]] of the [[plum]]. It was developed in [[France]] from a green-fruited wild plum originally found in [[Asia Minor]]. It is identified by its small, oval shape, smooth-textured flesh, and ranging in colour from [[green]] to [[yellow]], grown in temperate areas. They are known for their rich, confectionery flavour that cause them to be considered one of the finest dessert plums. |
||
Sources attribute the origin of the name "Greengage" variably to several members of the Gage family. One account states that the cultivar was brought into England by the Rev. [[John Gage]] who obtained them from the [[Chartreuse Monastery]].<ref>[http://www.bartleby.com/81/7604.html "Greengage"] at Bartleby.com which provides the text from Brewer, E. Cobham. ''Dictionary of Phrase and Fable'' (1898).</ref> "Green Gages" were imported into [[England]] from France in 1724 by [[Sir William Gage]] (1695–1744), 2nd Baronet of Hengrave, from whom they get their English name. Allegedly, the labels identifying the French plum trees were lost in transit to Gage's home in [[Bury St. Edmunds]]. Soon after, Greengages were cultivated in the [[Colonial America|American colonies]], even taking being grown on the plantations of [[President of the United States|American presidents]] [[George Washington]] (1732–1799) and [[Thomas Jefferson]] (1743–1826). However, their [[cultivation]] in [[North America]] has declined significantly since the [[Eighteenth Century]]. |
|||
The name 'Reine Claude' ([[French language|French]] for "Queen Claude"), which is included in its [[Latin language|Latin]] [[Binomial nomenclature|scientific name]] and also are the name by which they are known in France, is named in honour of [[Claude of France|Claude]] (1499–1524), the [[duchess of Brittany]], who became the [[Queen consort]] of [[King of France|King]] [[Francis I of France]] (1494–1547). They are also called ''la bonne reine'' (The Good Queen) in France.<ref>[http://www.bartleby.com/81/7604.html "Greengage"] at Bartleby.com which provides the text from Brewer, E. Cobham. ''Dictionary of Phrase and Fable'' (1898).</ref> |
|||
Greengages breed more-or-less true from seed, and several similar cultivars produced from seedlings are now available; some of these include other plum cultivars in their parentage: |
Greengages breed more-or-less true from seed, and several similar cultivars produced from seedlings are now available; some of these include other plum cultivars in their parentage: |
||
Revision as of 21:27, 22 January 2007
The Greengage (Prunus domestica 'Reine Claude') is an edible drupaceous fruit, a cultivar of the plum. It was developed in France from a green-fruited wild plum originally found in Asia Minor. It is identified by its small, oval shape, smooth-textured flesh, and ranging in colour from green to yellow, grown in temperate areas. They are known for their rich, confectionery flavour that cause them to be considered one of the finest dessert plums.
Sources attribute the origin of the name "Greengage" variably to several members of the Gage family. One account states that the cultivar was brought into England by the Rev. John Gage who obtained them from the Chartreuse Monastery.[1] "Green Gages" were imported into England from France in 1724 by Sir William Gage (1695–1744), 2nd Baronet of Hengrave, from whom they get their English name. Allegedly, the labels identifying the French plum trees were lost in transit to Gage's home in Bury St. Edmunds. Soon after, Greengages were cultivated in the American colonies, even taking being grown on the plantations of American presidents George Washington (1732–1799) and Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826). However, their cultivation in North America has declined significantly since the Eighteenth Century.
The name 'Reine Claude' (French for "Queen Claude"), which is included in its Latin scientific name and also are the name by which they are known in France, is named in honour of Claude (1499–1524), the duchess of Brittany, who became the Queen consort of King Francis I of France (1494–1547). They are also called la bonne reine (The Good Queen) in France.[2]
Greengages breed more-or-less true from seed, and several similar cultivars produced from seedlings are now available; some of these include other plum cultivars in their parentage:
- 'Bryanston' (UK)
- 'Cambridge Gage' (UK)
- 'Denniston's Superb' (USA)
- 'Golden Transparent' (UK)
- 'Laxton's Gage' (UK)
- 'Laxton's Supreme' (UK)
- 'Ontario' (Canada)
- 'Reine Claude de Bavay' (Belgium)
- 'Transparent Gage' (France)
- 'Washington' (USA)
- ^ "Greengage" at Bartleby.com which provides the text from Brewer, E. Cobham. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898).
- ^ "Greengage" at Bartleby.com which provides the text from Brewer, E. Cobham. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898).