Priscilla

Co-op 4

(PRI 1659-1 = 'Starking 'Delicious' x PRI 610-2) Introduced as 'Priscilla' (Williams et al. 1972) U.S. Plant Patent No. 3,488

Fruit: 64 to 76 mm (2-1/2 to 3 in.); oblate conic to short conic with pointed calyx; green yellow to pale yellow or cream ground color; very bright finish, slightly striped, splashed, 70 to 95% medium red; medium grained, pale yellow colored, unusually crisp and breaking flesh at harvest; moderately aromatic, licorice aroma, mildly acid to sweet, and rich in flavor; moderately juicy; very good dessert quality. Moderate fruit size. Annual cropping. Fruit hangs on the tree until over-ripe. Retains quality for two to three months or more in refrigerated storage if properly handled.

Tree: Moderate vigor; standard bearing habit, somewhat thin branched; medium size.

Disease Resistance: Field immune to apple scab; high level of resistance to fire blight; high level of resistance to cedar-apple rust; good level of resistance to powdery mildew.

Problems: Small fruit size if not properly thinned; over-cropping; does not color well inside canopy; licorice aroma; longevity in storage variable, inadequate in some years, short shelf life out of storage; tendency for calyx end cracking when over-mature; varietal mix-up caused major nursery to supply an inferior scab resistant cultivar as 'Priscilla' for six years during the early 1980s. Although scab resistant, the bogus 'Priscilla' significantly damaged the cultivar's image.

General Recommendation: Suggested for small scale commercial plantings and for specialty markets where the unique flavor can be used as an advantage and fruit is not stored for extended periods.