Malus domestica Winter Banana
1911
Ellen Isham Schutt captured the 'Winter Banana' apple in stunning detail for the USDA in 1911, revealing why this variety earned its quirky name. While it looks like a classic red-and-yellow blush apple on the outside, the cross-section hints at the creamy, pale flesh that supposedly smells faintly of bananas when ripe. These botanical watercolors were crucial for documenting fruit varieties across America before photography took over, serving as a delicious visual catalog for farmers and growers. Schutt's precise brushwork makes you almost want to take a bite of this century-old fruit!
- Technique
- Watercolor
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