Origin: in Maidstone, South Africa, by Meredith B. Strapp. Seedling of unknown parentage planted about 1930; discovered in early 1930s by J.L. Alkins, Verulum, South Africa, and W.T. Lowen, Natal, South Africa; budwood distributed and promoted in 1953 by F.B. Harrington, Natal, South Africa; named and introduced in Australia in 1958 by Langbecker Nurseries; propagation rights outside of Australia and New Guinea assigned to Stark Bros. Orchard & Nursery Co., Louisiana, Mo.; brought into the U.S. as P.I. 281542 but has not been introduced commercially. Tree: under Australian conditions: vigorous growth under tropical and subtropical conditions, short dormant period. Under U.S. conditions (Louisiana, Mo.): characteristics resemble Rome. Restricted to warmer climates. Fruit: under Australian conditions: size medium; skin red; flesh crisp; eating quality very good, resembles Rome. Under U.S. conditions (Louisiana, Mo.): large; irregular in form; skin dull red; flesh not too crisp, flavor fair, quality poor. Susceptible to bitter rot.
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