Merton Knave
Dessert apple
Dessert apple
Malus domestica Borkh.
Raised in 1948 by M.B.Crane at John Innes Institute, Merton, England. It was named Merton Ace in 1968 but changed to Merton Knave in 1970. Fruits have soft, juicy flesh with a sweet and pleasant flavour.
Synonyms:
Merton Ace
Availability
Material available from the National Fruit Collection.
Parentage:
Laxton's Early Crimson x Epicure
Fruit Size
medium b
Fruit Shape
intermediate, truncate-conic to rectangular, convex b
Fruit Height
51-62 mm b
Fruit Width
55-70 mm b
Ribbing
ribbed at eye and on body b
Ground Colour
greenish yellow b
Over Colour
extensive flush of deep bright red and a few streaks b
Russet Type
a little fine russet mainly at base, some russet dots b
Flesh Colour
greenish white, tinged yellow beneath skin b
Skin Texture
smooth, very greasy, tender b
Flesh Texture
firm, crisp b
Flavour
sweet, subacid, rich b
Accession name
Merton Knave (LA)
Flowering time
8th May 10% flowering
13th May Full (80%) flowering
21st May 90% petal fall
Picking time
Mid September a
Size
small a
Type
Dessert a
Shape
Globose a
Height
48.50 mm a
Width
56.74 mm a
Ribbing
very weak a
Crown
weak a
Ground Colour
Green yellow a
Over Colour (Amount)
medium-high a
Over Colour
Red a
Over Colour (Pattern)
striped a
Russet
low a
Greasiness
Medium a
Firmness
soft a
Crunch
crisp a
Flesh Colour
White a
References:
a. NFC fruit (undated) Unpublished characterisation by staff at NFC, Brogdale.
b. Smith, M. (1971) National Apple Register