Taxon ID: 1
Usage Facet: class=edible; edible_score=1.0; ornamental_score=0.0; inferred_from_taxon=no
Relationships: 0 | Linked Entities (visible): 0 | Evidence claims: 39 | History events: 0 | Catalog issue offerings: 0
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Evidence Badge: emerging | claims=39 | sources=3 | contradictions=0
Claim Types: recommendation_count_note:4, column_scope_context:3, fruit_size:3, keeping_quality:3, selection_origin_reference:3, description_snippet:2, flavor_profile:2, growth_habit:2, anecdote_snippet:1, breeder_reference:1, culinary_use:1, fruit_color:1, hardiness_code_expansion:1, hardiness_observation:1, productivity:1, recommendation_context:1, source_reference_abbreviation:1, table_axis_context:1, taxon_context:1 | Open evidence summary JSON | Open citation drawer JSON
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Prairie Spy is a late keeping apple linked to the University of Minnesota. It is recorded as Minnesota No. 1007 and as a seedling of unknown parentage. Sources describe it as a dessert and cooking apple with the flavor and character of the Spy group. Prairie records place it among apples grown, tested, and remembered for cold regions. [S1] [S4] [S5]
Its origin is only partly clear. W. R. Leslie's prairie orchard notes call it Minnesota No. 1007, a seedling of uncertain parentage selected in 1923. Another prairie reference lists it under the University of Minnesota with the date 1940. [S1] [S5] Prairie sources also index it simply as an apple of unknown origin from the University of Minnesota, USA. [S4]
The fruit is described as medium to large, or about 7 to 8 cm across. Its skin is recorded as reddish green, or as green and yellow heavily covered with bright red wash and stripes, with creamy white flesh inside. [S1] [S4] [S5] Leslie wrote that it resembles Northern Spy in appearance and described the flesh as crisp, juicy, aromatic, and sprightly sub acid, with excellent quality. [S5] Other prairie references call it good for both dessert and cooking, and suitable for fresh use as well as processing. [S1] [S4]
Season is one of its defining traits. Sources place ripening in mid to late October, with storage from November into April, and one source says it is at its best after Christmas. [S1] [S5] That keeping quality is reinforced by South Dakota extension recommendations, which listed Prairie Spy among winter apples for trial across all three state fruit growing zones. [S2] South Dakota nursery listings also show that multiple nurseries offered it commercially. [S3]
The tree is described as vigorous, spreading, hardy, productive at Morden, and inclined to bear young. [S1] [S5] Hardiness evidence is good for cold prairie conditions. One prairie apple reference gives it as zone 3 to 4, while the Morden notes record it as hardy under Manitoba conditions. South Dakota extension also placed it in trial use into the northern prairie part of the state. [S1] [S2] [S5]
Prairie Spy belongs to the broader tradition of hardy northern apples linked to Minnesota breeding and prairie testing, rather than to a documented family with known parents. Its direct parentage remains unknown, but the repeated comparison to Northern Spy helps explain its place in the archive: a long season, high quality apple valued for both dessert and kitchen use in cold country. [S1] [S5]
Summary source basis
This summary currently draws chiefly from Edible Apples in Prairie Canada, with 5 additional supporting sources linked below.
Featured source descriptions
“Selected 1923 and tested as Minn #1007.”
— [1]
“Ripens late October but is best after Christmas.”
— [1]
“Zone 3-4.”
— [1]
“Good dessert and cooking apple with excellent taste of the 'spy' family.”
— [1]
Direct parent cultivars
Parentage claim text
Derived or downstream cultivar links
Source-story quotations
Taxonomy context: No family-tree context surfaced yet.
Related cultivars mentioned in source context
Zone assertions are structured rows. Hardiness claim text appears in evidence claims and page-linked citations.
| Zone Min | Zone Max | Zone Text | Assertion Type | Outcome | Location | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZONE III All Rest and Northern two-thirds of State | recommendation_table | recommended | WINTER APPLES | 0.84 | ||
| ZONE II Counties in Minne-sota that have North Slopes & Valleys of General Prairie | recommendation_table | recommended | WINTER APPLES | 0.84 | ||
| ZONE I Southern Border, Lincoln Co., West & lower Valleys around Black Hills | recommendation_table | recommended | WINTER APPLES | 0.84 |
No linked media assets.
| Document | Title/URL | Rights | Claims | Relationships | History Events | Pages | Snippets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Edible Apples in Prairie Canada | unknown | 15 | 0 | 0 | p56 | Listed as a standard apple (standard apple, fruit 5 cm diameter or more).; Hardiness noted as H1, meaning the hardiest class.; References cited as BHB, L&U, and F&N.; Zone 3-4. |
| 2 | South Dakota Fruit Garden (visual sample pages 9-11) | public_domain | 12 | 0 | 0 | p1 | Wakpala (1); Haralson (2); ZONE III All Rest and Northern two-thirds of State; {"column_label": "ZONE III All Rest and Northern two-thirds of State", "cultivar_name": "Prairie Spy", "notes": ["Haralson (2)", "Wakpala (1) |
| 106 | Daniels planting guide, 1950 | unknown | 12 | 0 | 0 | p21 | A side note says Prairie Spy will not blow off the tree at picking time.; The tree is described as hardy except in highly unfavorable locations.; The tree is described as vigorous and productive.; The fruit clings to the |
| Document | Page | Claim Type | Claim | Quote | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | p56 | description_snippet | Listed as a standard apple (standard apple, fruit 5 cm diameter or more). | Prairie Spy (unknown) Uof Minnesota (1940) ST Fruit 7-8cm, reddish-green. Good dessert and cooking. Excellent taste of the 'spy' family. Vigorous. Bears young. Ripens late October but best after Christmas. Selected 1923 | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p56 | hardiness_code_expansion | Hardiness noted as H1, meaning the hardiest class. | Prairie Spy (unknown) Uof Minnesota (1940) ST Fruit 7-8cm, reddish-green. Good dessert and cooking. Excellent taste of the 'spy' family. Vigorous. Bears young. Ripens late October but best after Christmas. Selected 1923 | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p56 | source_reference_abbreviation | References cited as BHB, L&U, and F&N. | Prairie Spy (unknown) Uof Minnesota (1940) ST Fruit 7-8cm, reddish-green. Good dessert and cooking. Excellent taste of the 'spy' family. Vigorous. Bears young. Ripens late October but best after Christmas. Selected 1923 | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p56 | hardiness_observation | Zone 3-4. | Prairie Spy (unknown) Uof Minnesota (1940) ST Fruit 7-8cm, reddish-green. Good dessert and cooking. Excellent taste of the 'spy' family. Vigorous. Bears young. Ripens late October but best after Christmas. Selected 1923 | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p56 | selection_origin_reference | Selected in 1923 and tested as Minn #1007. | Prairie Spy (unknown) Uof Minnesota (1940) ST Fruit 7-8cm, reddish-green. Good dessert and cooking. Excellent taste of the 'spy' family. Vigorous. Bears young. Ripens late October but best after Christmas. Selected 1923 | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p56 | keeping_quality | Ripens late October but is best after Christmas. | Prairie Spy (unknown) Uof Minnesota (1940) ST Fruit 7-8cm, reddish-green. Good dessert and cooking. Excellent taste of the 'spy' family. Vigorous. Bears young. Ripens late October but best after Christmas. Selected 1923 | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p56 | productivity | Bears young. | Prairie Spy (unknown) Uof Minnesota (1940) ST Fruit 7-8cm, reddish-green. Good dessert and cooking. Excellent taste of the 'spy' family. Vigorous. Bears young. Ripens late October but best after Christmas. Selected 1923 | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p56 | growth_habit | Vigorous. | Prairie Spy (unknown) Uof Minnesota (1940) ST Fruit 7-8cm, reddish-green. Good dessert and cooking. Excellent taste of the 'spy' family. Vigorous. Bears young. Ripens late October but best after Christmas. Selected 1923 | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p56 | flavor_profile | Excellent taste of the 'spy' family. | Prairie Spy (unknown) Uof Minnesota (1940) ST Fruit 7-8cm, reddish-green. Good dessert and cooking. Excellent taste of the 'spy' family. Vigorous. Bears young. Ripens late October but best after Christmas. Selected 1923 | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p56 | culinary_use | Good for dessert and cooking. | Prairie Spy (unknown) Uof Minnesota (1940) ST Fruit 7-8cm, reddish-green. Good dessert and cooking. Excellent taste of the 'spy' family. Vigorous. Bears young. Ripens late October but best after Christmas. Selected 1923 | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p56 | fruit_color | Fruit reddish-green. | Prairie Spy (unknown) Uof Minnesota (1940) ST Fruit 7-8cm, reddish-green. Good dessert and cooking. Excellent taste of the 'spy' family. Vigorous. Bears young. Ripens late October but best after Christmas. Selected 1923 | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p56 | fruit_size | Fruit 7-8 cm. | Prairie Spy (unknown) Uof Minnesota (1940) ST Fruit 7-8cm, reddish-green. Good dessert and cooking. Excellent taste of the 'spy' family. Vigorous. Bears young. Ripens late October but best after Christmas. Selected 1923 | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p56 | fruit_size | Standard apple (ST), meaning fruit 5 cm diameter or more. | Prairie Spy (unknown) Uof Minnesota (1940) ST Fruit 7-8cm, reddish-green. Good dessert and cooking. Excellent taste of the 'spy' family. Vigorous. Bears young. Ripens late October but best after Christmas. Selected 1923 | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p56 | breeder_reference | Associated with the University of Minnesota, 1940. | Prairie Spy (unknown) Uof Minnesota (1940) ST Fruit 7-8cm, reddish-green. Good dessert and cooking. Excellent taste of the 'spy' family. Vigorous. Bears young. Ripens late October but best after Christmas. Selected 1923 | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p56 | entry_pedigree | Parentage or origin listed as unknown. | Prairie Spy (unknown) Uof Minnesota (1940) ST Fruit 7-8cm, reddish-green. Good dessert and cooking. Excellent taste of the 'spy' family. Vigorous. Bears young. Ripens late October but best after Christmas. Selected 1923 | page_block:0.90 |
| 106 | p21 | anecdote_snippet | Aside note says Prairie Spy will not blow off the tree at picking time. | Prairie Spy (Minn. No. 1007) Hardy, Red, High Quality Winter Apple | page_block:0.90 |
| 106 | p21 | entry_hardiness_observation | The tree is described as hardy except in highly unfavorable locations. | Prairie Spy (Minn. No. 1007) Hardy, Red, High Quality Winter Apple | page_block:0.90 |
| 106 | p21 | growth_habit | The tree is described as vigorous and productive. | Prairie Spy (Minn. No. 1007) Hardy, Red, High Quality Winter Apple | page_block:0.90 |
| 106 | p21 | keeping_quality | The fruit clings to the tree until picked. | Prairie Spy (Minn. No. 1007) Hardy, Red, High Quality Winter Apple | page_block:0.90 |
| 106 | p21 | keeping_quality | Described as a long keeper and a true winter apple. | Prairie Spy (Minn. No. 1007) Hardy, Red, High Quality Winter Apple | page_block:0.90 |
| 106 | p21 | description_snippet | The fruit is described as large, attractive red, and exceptionally high quality. | Prairie Spy (Minn. No. 1007) Hardy, Red, High Quality Winter Apple | page_block:0.90 |
| 106 | p21 | flavor_profile | Quality is said to equal any late winter variety regardless of where grown. | Prairie Spy (Minn. No. 1007) Hardy, Red, High Quality Winter Apple | page_block:0.90 |
| 106 | p21 | fruit_size | Fruit is described as a large red apple. | Prairie Spy (Minn. No. 1007) Hardy, Red, High Quality Winter Apple | page_block:0.90 |
| 106 | p21 | entry_pedigree | Said to have many of the fine characteristics of Northern Spy. | Prairie Spy (Minn. No. 1007) Hardy, Red, High Quality Winter Apple | page_block:0.90 |
| 106 | p21 | selection_origin_reference | Described as an origination of the Minnesota State Fruit Breeding Farm. | Prairie Spy (Minn. No. 1007) Hardy, Red, High Quality Winter Apple | page_block:0.90 |
| 106 | p21 | recommendation_context | Presented as a hardy, red, high quality winter apple. | Prairie Spy (Minn. No. 1007) Hardy, Red, High Quality Winter Apple | page_block:0.90 |
| 106 | p21 | selection_origin_reference | Listed as Minnesota selection number 1007. | Prairie Spy (Minn. No. 1007) Hardy, Red, High Quality Winter Apple | page_block:0.90 |
| 2 | p1 | recommendation_count_note | Wakpala (1) | Prairie Spy Wakpala (1) | visual_page_probe:0.90 |
| 2 | p1 | recommendation_count_note | Haralson (2) | Prairie Spy Haralson (2) | visual_page_probe:0.90 |
| 2 | p1 | column_scope_context | ZONE III All Rest and Northern two-thirds of State | WINTER APPLES | Long Keepers | ZONE III All Rest and Northern two-thirds of State | Prairie Spy | visual_page_probe:0.90 |
| 2 | p1 | taxon_context | WINTER APPLES | WINTER APPLES | Long Keepers | ZONE III All Rest and Northern two-thirds of State | Prairie Spy | visual_page_probe:0.90 |
| 2 | p1 | table_axis_context | Long Keepers | WINTER APPLES | Long Keepers | ZONE III All Rest and Northern two-thirds of State | Prairie Spy | visual_page_probe:0.90 |
| 2 | p1 | structured_entry_json | {"column_label": "ZONE III All Rest and Northern two-thirds of State", "cultivar_name": "Prairie Spy", "notes": ["Haralson (2)", "Wakpala (1)"], "page_number": 1, "parser_mode": "v | WINTER APPLES | Long Keepers | ZONE III All Rest and Northern two-thirds of State | Prairie Spy | visual_page_probe:0.90 |
| 2 | p1 | column_scope_context | ZONE II Counties in Minne-sota that have North Slopes & Valleys of General Prairie | WINTER APPLES | Long Keepers | ZONE II Counties in Minne-sota that have North Slopes & Valleys of General Prairie | Prairie Spy | visual_page_probe:0.90 |
| 2 | p1 | taxon_context | WINTER APPLES | WINTER APPLES | Long Keepers | ZONE II Counties in Minne-sota that have North Slopes & Valleys of General Prairie | Prairie Spy | visual_page_probe:0.90 |
| 2 | p1 | table_axis_context | Long Keepers | WINTER APPLES | Long Keepers | ZONE II Counties in Minne-sota that have North Slopes & Valleys of General Prairie | Prairie Spy | visual_page_probe:0.90 |
| 2 | p1 | structured_entry_json | {"column_label": "ZONE II Counties in Minne-sota that have North Slopes & Valleys of General Prairie", "cultivar_name": "Prairie Spy", "notes": ["Haralson (3)", "Northwestern (1)"] | WINTER APPLES | Long Keepers | ZONE II Counties in Minne-sota that have North Slopes & Valleys of General Prairie | Prairie Spy | visual_page_probe:0.90 |
| 2 | p1 | recommendation_count_note | Northwestern (1) | Prairie Spy Northwestern (1) | visual_page_probe:0.90 |
| 2 | p1 | recommendation_count_note | Haralson (3) | Prairie Spy Haralson (3) | visual_page_probe:0.90 |
| 2 | p1 | column_scope_context | ZONE I Southern Border, Lincoln Co., West & lower Valleys around Black Hills | WINTER APPLES | Long Keepers | ZONE I Southern Border, Lincoln Co., West & lower Valleys around Black Hills | Prairie Spy | visual_page_probe:0.90 |
| 2 | p1 | taxon_context | WINTER APPLES | WINTER APPLES | Long Keepers | ZONE I Southern Border, Lincoln Co., West & lower Valleys around Black Hills | Prairie Spy | visual_page_probe:0.90 |
| 2 | p1 | table_axis_context | Long Keepers | WINTER APPLES | Long Keepers | ZONE I Southern Border, Lincoln Co., West & lower Valleys around Black Hills | Prairie Spy | visual_page_probe:0.90 |
| 2 | p1 | structured_entry_json | {"column_label": "ZONE I Southern Border, Lincoln Co., West & lower Valleys around Black Hills", "cultivar_name": "Prairie Spy", "notes": ["Haralson (3)", "Northwestern (1)"], "pag | WINTER APPLES | Long Keepers | ZONE I Southern Border, Lincoln Co., West & lower Valleys around Black Hills | Prairie Spy | visual_page_probe:0.90 |
| Year | Nursery | Catalog Issue | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| No catalog issue offerings linked. | |||
| Relation | Type | ID | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| No linked entities at this filter level. | |||
| Type | Claim | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| description_snippet | Listed as a standard apple (standard apple, fruit 5 cm diameter or more). | 0.96 |
| hardiness_code_expansion | Hardiness noted as H1, meaning the hardiest class. | 0.96 |
| source_reference_abbreviation | References cited as BHB, L&U, and F&N. | 0.77 |
| hardiness_observation | Zone 3-4. | 0.90 |
| selection_origin_reference | Selected in 1923 and tested as Minn #1007. | 0.93 |
| keeping_quality | Ripens late October but is best after Christmas. | 0.95 |
| productivity | Bears young. | 0.89 |
| growth_habit | Vigorous. | 0.91 |
| flavor_profile | Excellent taste of the 'spy' family. | 0.92 |
| culinary_use | Good for dessert and cooking. | 0.95 |
| fruit_color | Fruit reddish-green. | 0.94 |
| fruit_size | Fruit 7-8 cm. | 0.95 |
| fruit_size | Standard apple (ST), meaning fruit 5 cm diameter or more. | 0.97 |
| breeder_reference | Associated with the University of Minnesota, 1940. | 0.95 |
| entry_pedigree | Parentage or origin listed as unknown. | 0.90 |
| anecdote_snippet | A side note says Prairie Spy will not blow off the tree at picking time. | 0.85 |
| entry_hardiness_observation | The tree is described as hardy except in highly unfavorable locations. | 0.94 |
| growth_habit | The tree is described as vigorous and productive. | 0.94 |
| keeping_quality | The fruit clings to the tree until picked. | 0.95 |
| keeping_quality | Described as a long keeper and a true winter apple. | 0.97 |
| description_snippet | The fruit is described as large, attractive red, and exceptionally high quality. | 0.96 |
| flavor_profile | Quality is said to equal any late winter variety regardless of where grown. | 0.89 |
| fruit_size | Fruit is described as a large red apple. | 0.95 |
| entry_pedigree | Said to have many of the fine characteristics of Northern Spy. | 0.93 |
| selection_origin_reference | Described as an origination of the Minnesota State Fruit Breeding Farm. | 0.97 |
| recommendation_context | Presented as a hardy, red, high quality winter apple. | 0.97 |
| selection_origin_reference | Listed as Minnesota selection number 1007. | 0.95 |
| recommendation_count_note | Wakpala (1) | 0.92 |
| recommendation_count_note | Haralson (2) | 0.92 |
| column_scope_context | ZONE III All Rest and Northern two-thirds of State | 0.92 |
| structured_entry_json | {"column_label": "ZONE III All Rest and Northern two-thirds of State", "cultivar_name": "Prairie Spy", "notes": ["Haralson (2)", "Wakpala (1)"], "page_number": 1, "parser_mode": "visual_table_page", "row_context": null, | 0.94 |
| column_scope_context | ZONE II Counties in Minne-sota that have North Slopes & Valleys of General Prairie | 0.92 |
| structured_entry_json | {"column_label": "ZONE II Counties in Minne-sota that have North Slopes & Valleys of General Prairie", "cultivar_name": "Prairie Spy", "notes": ["Haralson (3)", "Northwestern (1)"], "page_number": 1, "parser_mode": "visu | 0.94 |
| recommendation_count_note | Northwestern (1) | 0.92 |
| recommendation_count_note | Haralson (3) | 0.92 |
| column_scope_context | ZONE I Southern Border, Lincoln Co., West & lower Valleys around Black Hills | 0.92 |
| taxon_context | WINTER APPLES | 0.92 |
| table_axis_context | Long Keepers | 0.92 |
| structured_entry_json | {"column_label": "ZONE I Southern Border, Lincoln Co., West & lower Valleys around Black Hills", "cultivar_name": "Prairie Spy", "notes": ["Haralson (3)", "Northwestern (1)"], "page_number": 1, "parser_mode": "visual_tab | 0.94 |
| ID | Type | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| No history events. | |||