

ALMOND VARIETIES IN THE UNITED STATES 107 
COMMENTS 
The Philopena is not a desirable nut for market. It should not be grown 
except in a very limited way for home use. 
56. PISTACHE 
Origin.—An old French variety which was introduced into the Eastern States 
about 1840. On account of its very small size, the nut never became popular 
in California. Only a few trees of the variety now exist in the United States. 
Description 
TREE 
The tree is easily recognized by its upright growth and numerous short 
lateral branches and twigs. 
NUT 
Hulled nut.—(Pl. XII, A.) Very small (average, $ by 18 by § inch). Num- 
ber of nuts to the pound, 220 to 280. Percentage of kernel to nut in hand- 
cracked samples, 40 to 60. 
Shape: Very plump, short, round-ovoid; nut nearly as thick as wide 
(viewed edgewise, bulging and often unsymmetrical). Ventral edge very 
plump, much curved, frequently depressed on one side of wing. Wing medium 
to thick, moderately prominent throughout entire ventral edge. Two ridges 
parallel to wing common. Dorsal edge very plump, much curved throughout 
entire length. (Axis through middle of nut.) Dorsal ridge medium in width 
and only slightly elevated. Dorsal and ventral edges of the same length. 
Base very round, plump, dorsally sloping; ventral shoulder sharply rounding 
dorsal shoulder sloping. Stem scar large, round, sharply dorsally sloping. 
Apex plump, wide, and rounded or broadly tapering with small point, sides 
nearly equal in curve. 
Shell: Soft, rather thin, light brown; outer shell usually hard and smooth, 
occasionally spongy; inner shell thin and hard. Pits small, numerous, shal- 
low, round or long oval in shape. Short grooves on ventral edge. Fibers 
medium to large, and network rather coarse for size of nut. Inner shell 
thin and hard. Surface of inner shell light brown in color. Ventral streak 
dark brown, medium to long, wide, with blunt base. 
Kernel: Doubles frequent. Kernel plump and small (# by 3 by 2 inch), 
filling shell cavity well; distinctly ovoid in shape. Dorsal and ventral edges 
practically equal in curve and length; axis through middle of Kernel. Base 
plump and round, both shoulders plump and round. Apex broadly tapering. 
Pellicle thin, cinnamon brown in color, exceedingly pubescent; pellicle fold 
small but distinct, base scar in middle of base (i. e.. shoulders equal in 
plumpness and curve); dark brown, large, round. Flavor good, pleasant, 
Sweet. 
Distinguishing characteristics—The Pistache is probably the smallest nut 
grown in our country. It is easy to identify by the following: Small size, 
plump, wide ovoid shape; base broad, round, plump, and dorsally sloping 
axis passes through middle of nut; dorsal and ventral edges much cureaae 
apex broad, plump, blunt; kernel plump, ovoid, dorsal and ventral shoulders 
of equal plumpness, pellicle very pubescent. 
In shape this nut is in the group including Ballard, Drake, Languedoc, 
Lewelling, Spagon, and Texas. It is distinguished from all of these, except 
Spagon, by its small size. The Spagon nut is smaller and more pointed at the 
apex than the Pistache; furthermore, the Spagon nut is not grown in this 
country; the few trees in California supposed to be of this: variety were 
grafted over. 
COMMENTS 
The Pistache variety is of no value commercially on account of the very 
small size of the nut. 
- PRINCESS 
Origin.—A French ieee introduced ‘into the United States at an early 
date. William R. Prince & Co., of Flushing, L. I., N. Y., listed trees of the 
