Taxon ID:
Usage Facet: class=edible; edible_score=1.0; ornamental_score=0.0; inferred_from_taxon=no
Relationships: 0 | Linked Entities (visible): 0 | Evidence claims: 24 | History events: 0 | Catalog issue offerings: 0
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Evidence Badge: emerging | claims=24 | sources=2 | contradictions=0
Claim Types: description_snippet:3, flavor_profile:2, fruit_color:2, fruit_size:2, keeping_quality:2, release_year_reference:2, breeder_reference:1, culinary_use:1, hardiness_code_expansion:1, productivity:1, selection_origin_reference:1, storage_duration:1, taxon_context:1 | Open evidence summary JSON | Open citation drawer JSON
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McLean is a prairie apple from the cross Columbia x Melba. It was introduced in 1960 through the University of Saskatchewan program. [S2] [S6] Prairie references link it to Patterson's 1960 introduction record, and later directories list it as a named edible apple for western Canadian conditions. [S1] [S6]
The fruit is medium sized, about 5 to 6 cm, or up to roughly 2 1/2 by 2 inches. It is slightly conical, with pale yellow skin washed or blushed light red. [S1] [S2] [S6] The flesh is described as white to medium coarse, crisp, fine textured, and medium juicy, with a sweet acid to sub acid flavor. [S1] [S4] [S6] Sources describe it as good for dessert and cooking, and one University of Saskatchewan introduction sheet called the quality outstanding. [S1] [S6]
McLean ripens from late August into the early to mid season period, earlier than Patterson. [S1] [S6] It keeps about two to three months, though at least one source says it loses flavor in storage and does not keep as well as Patterson. [S1] [S4]
The tree is noted for very heavy yield. [S1] Prairie evaluation tables also place McLean among cultivars rated hardy in Saskatchewan. [S3] [S5] A 1976 HortFacts note says it appeared hardy in zones 3B and 4, but showed moderate to severe injury in zones 4A and 5. [S4] Fireblight tables list it as resistant or in the good resistance class. [S3] [S4] [S5]
In prairie apple history, McLean is closely compared with Patterson. Sources say it resembles Patterson, ripens earlier, and gives up some keeping quality in return. [S1] Its parentage also matters. Columbia x Melba links it to older dessert and cooking apple lines that prairie breeders were adapting for short seasons and hard winters. [S1] [S2] [S6]
Summary source basis
This summary currently draws chiefly from Edible Apples in Prairie Canada, with 5 additional supporting sources linked below.
Featured source descriptions
“Similar to Patterson but ripens earlier, and doesn't keep as well.”
— [1]
“Listed in Table 2 under Good Resistance for fireblight.”
— [4]
“Medium season entry.”
— [3]
“Rated Hardy in Saskatchewan.”
— [4]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No explicit zone assertion rows yet. | ||||||
No linked media assets.
| Document | Title/URL | Rights | Claims | Relationships | History Events | Pages | Snippets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Edible Apples in Prairie Canada | unknown | 15 | 0 | 0 | p46 | Hardiness rated moderately hardy (H2).; Listed as a standard apple (standard apple, fruit 5 cm diameter or more).; Marked ST, meaning a standard apple with fruit 5 cm diameter or more.; H2 indicates moderately hardy. |
| 109 | University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960 | unknown | 9 | 0 | 0 | p3 | Good quality, described as outstanding.; Season early to mid-season; fruit slightly conical.; Very mildly acid.; Pale yellow ground blushed with light red. |
| Document | Page | Claim Type | Claim | Quote | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | p46 | entry_hardiness_observation | Hardiness rated moderately hardy (H2). | McLean (Columbia x Melba) Patterson (1960) Fruit 5-6cm, yellow, washed light red. Flesh medium coarse, crisp, sweet-acid. Yield very heavy, ripening late August. Good cooking and dessert. Keeps for about 3 months, but lo | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p46 | description_snippet | Listed as a standard apple (standard apple, fruit 5 cm diameter or more). | McLean (Columbia x Melba) Patterson (1960) Fruit 5-6cm, yellow, washed light red. Flesh medium coarse, crisp, sweet-acid. Yield very heavy, ripening late August. Good cooking and dessert. Keeps for about 3 months, but lo | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p46 | taxon_context | Marked ST, meaning a standard apple with fruit 5 cm diameter or more. | McLean (Columbia x Melba) Patterson (1960) Fruit 5-6cm, yellow, washed light red. Flesh medium coarse, crisp, sweet-acid. Yield very heavy, ripening late August. Good cooking and dessert. Keeps for about 3 months, but lo | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p46 | hardiness_code_expansion | H2 indicates moderately hardy. | McLean (Columbia x Melba) Patterson (1960) Fruit 5-6cm, yellow, washed light red. Flesh medium coarse, crisp, sweet-acid. Yield very heavy, ripening late August. Good cooking and dessert. Keeps for about 3 months, but lo | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p46 | release_year_reference | Introduction noted as W.C. | McLean (Columbia x Melba) Patterson (1960) Fruit 5-6cm, yellow, washed light red. Flesh medium coarse, crisp, sweet-acid. Yield very heavy, ripening late August. Good cooking and dessert. Keeps for about 3 months, but lo | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p46 | keeping_quality | Similar to Patterson but ripens earlier and does not keep as well. | McLean (Columbia x Melba) Patterson (1960) Fruit 5-6cm, yellow, washed light red. Flesh medium coarse, crisp, sweet-acid. Yield very heavy, ripening late August. Good cooking and dessert. Keeps for about 3 months, but lo | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p46 | storage_duration | Keeps about 3 months but loses flavor. | McLean (Columbia x Melba) Patterson (1960) Fruit 5-6cm, yellow, washed light red. Flesh medium coarse, crisp, sweet-acid. Yield very heavy, ripening late August. Good cooking and dessert. Keeps for about 3 months, but lo | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p46 | culinary_use | Good for cooking and dessert. | McLean (Columbia x Melba) Patterson (1960) Fruit 5-6cm, yellow, washed light red. Flesh medium coarse, crisp, sweet-acid. Yield very heavy, ripening late August. Good cooking and dessert. Keeps for about 3 months, but lo | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p46 | description_snippet | Ripens in late August. | McLean (Columbia x Melba) Patterson (1960) Fruit 5-6cm, yellow, washed light red. Flesh medium coarse, crisp, sweet-acid. Yield very heavy, ripening late August. Good cooking and dessert. Keeps for about 3 months, but lo | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p46 | productivity | Yield very heavy. | McLean (Columbia x Melba) Patterson (1960) Fruit 5-6cm, yellow, washed light red. Flesh medium coarse, crisp, sweet-acid. Yield very heavy, ripening late August. Good cooking and dessert. Keeps for about 3 months, but lo | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p46 | flavor_profile | Flesh medium coarse, crisp, and sweet-acid. | McLean (Columbia x Melba) Patterson (1960) Fruit 5-6cm, yellow, washed light red. Flesh medium coarse, crisp, sweet-acid. Yield very heavy, ripening late August. Good cooking and dessert. Keeps for about 3 months, but lo | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p46 | fruit_color | Fruit yellow washed light red. | McLean (Columbia x Melba) Patterson (1960) Fruit 5-6cm, yellow, washed light red. Flesh medium coarse, crisp, sweet-acid. Yield very heavy, ripening late August. Good cooking and dessert. Keeps for about 3 months, but lo | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p46 | fruit_size | Fruit 5 to 6 cm. | McLean (Columbia x Melba) Patterson (1960) Fruit 5-6cm, yellow, washed light red. Flesh medium coarse, crisp, sweet-acid. Yield very heavy, ripening late August. Good cooking and dessert. Keeps for about 3 months, but lo | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p46 | breeder_reference | Associated with Patterson and dated 1960. | McLean (Columbia x Melba) Patterson (1960) Fruit 5-6cm, yellow, washed light red. Flesh medium coarse, crisp, sweet-acid. Yield very heavy, ripening late August. Good cooking and dessert. Keeps for about 3 months, but lo | page_block:0.90 |
| 3 | p46 | entry_pedigree | Parentage given as Columbia x Melba. | McLean (Columbia x Melba) Patterson (1960) Fruit 5-6cm, yellow, washed light red. Flesh medium coarse, crisp, sweet-acid. Yield very heavy, ripening late August. Good cooking and dessert. Keeps for about 3 months, but lo | page_block:0.90 |
| 109 | p3 | keeping_quality | Good quality, described as outstanding. | A58-321 McLean Columbia x Melba 1960 Season, early to mid-season slightly conical, fruit up to 2 1/2" x 2" | page_block:0.90 |
| 109 | p3 | description_snippet | Season early to mid-season; fruit slightly conical. | A58-321 McLean Columbia x Melba 1960 Season, early to mid-season slightly conical, fruit up to 2 1/2" x 2" | page_block:0.90 |
| 109 | p3 | flavor_profile | Very mildly acid. | A58-321 McLean Columbia x Melba 1960 Season, early to mid-season slightly conical, fruit up to 2 1/2" x 2" | page_block:0.90 |
| 109 | p3 | fruit_color | Pale yellow ground blushed with light red. | A58-321 McLean Columbia x Melba 1960 Season, early to mid-season slightly conical, fruit up to 2 1/2" x 2" | page_block:0.90 |
| 109 | p3 | fruit_size | Fruit up to 2 1/2 by 2 inches. | A58-321 McLean Columbia x Melba 1960 Season, early to mid-season slightly conical, fruit up to 2 1/2" x 2" | page_block:0.90 |
| 109 | p3 | entry_location | Described under field conditions without irrigation at Saskatoon. | A58-321 McLean Columbia x Melba 1960 Season, early to mid-season slightly conical, fruit up to 2 1/2" x 2" | page_block:0.90 |
| 109 | p3 | release_year_reference | Year introduced: 1960. | A58-321 McLean Columbia x Melba 1960 Season, early to mid-season slightly conical, fruit up to 2 1/2" x 2" | page_block:0.90 |
| 109 | p3 | entry_pedigree | Parentage: Columbia x Melba. | A58-321 McLean Columbia x Melba 1960 Season, early to mid-season slightly conical, fruit up to 2 1/2" x 2" | page_block:0.90 |
| 109 | p3 | selection_origin_reference | Introduction number A58-321. | A58-321 McLean Columbia x Melba 1960 Season, early to mid-season slightly conical, fruit up to 2 1/2" x 2" | page_block: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 |
|---|---|---|
| entry_hardiness_observation | Hardiness rated moderately hardy (H2). | 0.96 |
| description_snippet | Listed as a standard apple (standard apple, fruit 5 cm diameter or more). | 0.96 |
| taxon_context | Marked ST, meaning a standard apple with fruit 5 cm diameter or more. | 0.97 |
| hardiness_code_expansion | H2 indicates moderately hardy. | 0.98 |
| release_year_reference | Introduction noted as W.C. | 0.56 |
| keeping_quality | Similar to Patterson but ripens earlier and does not keep as well. | 0.97 |
| storage_duration | Keeps about 3 months but loses flavor. | 0.97 |
| culinary_use | Good for cooking and dessert. | 0.98 |
| description_snippet | Ripens in late August. | 0.97 |
| productivity | Yield very heavy. | 0.98 |
| flavor_profile | Flesh medium coarse, crisp, and sweet-acid. | 0.98 |
| fruit_color | Fruit yellow washed light red. | 0.98 |
| fruit_size | Fruit 5 to 6 cm. | 0.98 |
| breeder_reference | Associated with Patterson and dated 1960. | 0.98 |
| entry_pedigree | Parentage given as Columbia x Melba. | 0.99 |
| keeping_quality | Good quality, described as outstanding. | 0.92 |
| description_snippet | Season early to mid-season; fruit slightly conical. | 0.97 |
| flavor_profile | Very mildly acid. | 0.95 |
| fruit_color | Pale yellow ground blushed with light red. | 0.97 |
| fruit_size | Fruit up to 2 1/2 by 2 inches. | 0.97 |
| entry_location | Described under field conditions without irrigation at Saskatoon. | 0.98 |
| release_year_reference | Year introduced: 1960. | 0.99 |
| entry_pedigree | Parentage: Columbia x Melba. | 0.99 |
| selection_origin_reference | Introduction number A58-321. | 0.99 |
| ID | Type | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| No history events. | |||