Columbian Imperial


(Labrusca, Vulpina)



Columbian, Jumbo



Columbian Imperial is a Labrusca-Vulpina hybrid chiefly remarkable for

the great size of its reddish-black berries, although the vine is so

exceptionally healthy and vigorous as to give it prominence for these

characters as well. The variety has remarkably thick leathery leaves

which seem almost proof against either insects or fungi. The quality

/> of the fruit, however, is inferior, and the small clusters vary in

number of berries and these shell easily. The only value of the

variety is for exhibition purposes and for breeding to secure the

desirable characters named. The parentage of Columbian Imperial is

unknown. It originated with J. S. McKinley, Orient, Ohio, in 1885.



Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, unproductive. Canes long, numerous,

thick, dark reddish-brown, heavily pubescent, spiny; nodes

prominent; internodes short; tendrils continuous, long, bifid.

Leaves green, very thick; lower surface pale green shading into

bronze on older leaves with little pubescence; lobes three,

indistinct; teeth sharp, shallow, wide. Flowers self-fertile;

stamens upright.



Fruit late. Clusters medium in size, sometimes shouldered;

peduncle slender; pedicel long; brush long, slender, green.

Berries very large, round, slightly oval, dull reddish-black with

faint bloom, firm; skin thick, tough, unpigmented; flesh juicy,

tough, sweet at the skin but acid at center; fair in quality.

Seeds adherent, large, plump, broad, blunt.



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