MediaWiki default at 18:03, 28 September 2007

2007-09-28T18:03:08Z

New page

[[Image:greengages.jpg|thumb|Recently harvested Greengages]]
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 (can eriği) originally found in [[Turkey]]. 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 [[Grande Chartreuse|Chartreuse Monastery]].<ref name="a">[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]].</ref> "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 [[Colonial America|American colonies]], even 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'' (French for "the good Queen") in France.<ref name="a"/>

==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==
<div class="references-small">
<references/>
</div>

[[Category:Fruit]]
[[Category:Prunus]]

Greengage - Revision history

MediaWiki default at 18:03, 28 September 2007