Greengage

Greengage

The Greengage ("Prunus domestica" or the 'Reine Claude') is an edible drupaceous fruit, a cultivar of the plum. It was developed in France from a green-fruited wild plum (Ganerik) 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 causes them to be considered one of the finest dessert plums.

History and etymology

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. [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). Accessed 22 January 2007.] "Green Gages" were imported into England from France in 1724 by Sir William Gage, 2nd Baronet (d. 1727), 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 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 is 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" (French for "the good Queen") in France.

Cultivation

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)

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Greengage — Green gage , n. (Bot.) A kind of plum of medium size, roundish shape, greenish flesh, and delicious flavor. It is called in France {Reine Claude}, after the queen of Francis I. See {Gage}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • greengage — from GREEN (Cf. green) + name of English botanist Sir William Gage (1657 1727) who first cultivated it in England c.1725 …   Etymology dictionary

  • greengage — ► NOUN ▪ a sweet greenish fruit resembling a small plum. ORIGIN named after the English botanist Sir William Gage (1657 1727) …   English terms dictionary

  • greengage — [grēn′gāj΄] n. [after Sir William Gage, who introduced it into England from France ( c. 1725)] a large plum with golden green skin and flesh …   English World dictionary

  • greengage — UK [ˈɡriːnˌɡeɪdʒ] / US [ˈɡrɪnˌɡeɪdʒ] noun [countable] Word forms greengage : singular greengage plural greengages a soft fruit that has a green skin and a large hard seed inside. It grows on a tree and is a type of plum …   English dictionary

  • greengage — Plum Plum, n. [AS. pl[=u]me, fr. L. prunum; akin to Gr. ?, ?. Cf. {Prune} a dried plum.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Bot.) The edible drupaceous fruit of the {Prunus domestica}, and of several other species of {Prunus}; also, the tree itself, usually… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • greengage — [[t]gri͟ːngeɪʤ[/t]] greengages N COUNT A greengage is a greenish yellow plum with a sweet taste …   English dictionary

  • greengage plum — noun sweet green or greenish yellow variety of plum • Syn: ↑greengage • Hypernyms: ↑plum …   Useful english dictionary

  • greengage — noun Etymology: green + Sir William Gage died 1820 English botanist Date: 1724 any of several rather small rounded greenish or greenish yellow cultivated plums …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • greengage — /green gayj /, n. any of several varieties of light green plums, as Prunus insititia italica. [1715 25; GREEN + Gage, after Sir William Gage, 18th century English botanist who introduced such varieties from France ca. 1725] * * * …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”