Griotte de Kleparow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Griotte de Kleparow |
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Leaves and fruit (unripe) of 'Griotte de Kleparow'. When ripe, the fruit is a dark brownish-red.
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| Genus | Prunus |
| Species | Prunus cerasus |
| Hybrid parentage | Either cultivar of Prunus cerasus or hybrid of Prunus cerasus × Prunus avium |
| Cultivar | 'Griotte de Kleparow' |
| Origin |  Klepariv (Kleparów), a suburb of Lviv, 16th century |
The Griotte de Kleparow is a special type of dark-red cherry. It's known as a morello or Griotte cherry. This cherry first grew near Lviv, a city in modern-day Ukraine. Its name means "Sweet Cherry of Klepariv" in some languages.
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History of the Griotte de Kleparow Cherry
The 'Griotte de Kleparow' cherry first appeared in an area called Klepariv. This place is now a suburb of Lviv, Ukraine. We don't know exactly which parent plants it came from. It's likely a special type, or cultivar, of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus). Some experts think it might be a mix of sour cherry and wild cherry (Prunus avium).
In 1555, the city leaders of Lviv made a law. This law told people to protect and grow this cherry tree. The 'Griotte de Kleparow' became very popular in the 1700s and 1800s. It started to be grown in other parts of Europe, the United States, and Australia.
A scientist named Johann Kraft first wrote about this cherry in 1792. The name 'Griotte de Kleparow' was first used in Great Britain in 1831. After that, this name became common in books about plants and fruits.
Sadly, people in Ukraine stopped growing 'Griotte de Kleparow' in the 1930s. It might have disappeared there. Today, fewer types of cherries are grown for sale. This special cherry is probably gone in most countries. However, some groups in France are trying to save it.
What Does the Griotte de Kleparow Look Like?
People have described the 'Griotte de Kleparow' cherry in many old books. Here's what they said:
The Tree
The tree grows very strong and large. It produces many cherries. Its branches are long, thin, and hang downwards.
Leaves
In summer, the leaves are light green with a little red color. They are big, oval, and have a long, sharp tip. The edges are very bumpy. They grow on short, strong, red stems. Leaves during fruit time have short tips and are dark green.
Flowers
The flowers are medium or small in size. Their petals are oval and curve inwards, partly covering each other. The green parts under the petals (called calyx divisions) are short and strong red. The flower stems are short and strong.
Fruit
The cherries are medium-sized and usually grow in pairs. They are round or slightly flat, sometimes a bit squished on the sides. The line on the cherry is shallow. The stem is long and thin, sitting in a wide, deep hollow. The skin is tough and shiny, dark brownish-red, turning deep black when ripe. The stem is about 50 mm long. The fruit ripens at the end of July.
Flesh
The inside of the cherry (the Flesh) is soft and juicy. It can be light or dark in color. It has a rich, sweet, and slightly sour taste. It's also very flavorful.
Pit
The pit (the seed inside) is small and almost perfectly round.
How it Grows
This cherry type can be grown from its seeds.
How People Used Griotte de Kleparow Cherries
The word Griotte is French for a type of sour cherry. The 'Griotte de Kleparow' is different from other sour cherries, like the Montmorency cherry. It has darker flesh and juice. This cherry became popular in Europe for eating fresh and for making cherry juice.
In Germany in 1824, two people named Lippold and Boumann wrote about it:
This is a very good cherry with dark brown juice. It ripens in August. It's great for making preserves and cherry juice. The tree grows very big and is highly recommended. It produces fruit every year, lots of it, and never gets hurt by frost.
In the United States, a plant catalog in 1837 sold these cherry trees. They cost $0.75 to $1.00 each. The catalog said the trees grew to a medium height. They had round tops and could handle cold northern weather. It also said the cherry was "most esteemed for quality" and "best for tarts, wine and preserves."
In Great Britain in 1842, the 'Griotte de Kleparow' was listed as one of 61 cherry types. These were considered "worthy of cultivation" and good for eating.
Other Names for Griotte de Kleparow
The 'Griotte de Kleparow' has many other names. Here are some of them:
- Череха клепарівська
- Prunus caproniana Schübl. var. kleparoviensis Zaw.
- Belle de Kleparow
- Belle Polonaise
- Bonne Polonaise
- Cerise de Kleparow
- Czerecha kleparowska
- Griotte Kleparite
- Kleparovka
- Kleparovoska
- Kleparower Süssweichsel
- Kleparower Weichsel
- Kleparower
- Kleparowska
- Pohlnische Weichsel
- Polnische grosse Weichsel
- Polnische Kirsche
- Polnische Weichsel
- Ratafia polonica
