Narrative
Type = American Hybrid. Per Hedrick (see citation): "Vine medium to vigorous, usually hardy, medium to productive . . . Leaves medium to large; upper surface light green, slightly glossy, nearly smooth . . . Flowers fertile, open mid-season; stamens upright. Fruit ripens earlier than Concord, does not always ripen evenly, does not keep well. Clusters large to medium, about average length, broad, tapering, usually single-shouldered but sometimes heavily double-shouldered, very compact. Berries above medium to small, oval, dark red to purplish-red but the berries do not color uniformly, dull, covered with thin, lilac bloom, inclined to drop from pedicel, soft. Skin thick to medium, somewhat tough, inclined to crack sometimes on account of compactness of cluster, does not adhere to pulp, contains no pigment, astringent. Flesh pale green, transparent, juicy, tender, fine-grained, somewhat vinous and foxy, sweet, good to very good in quality." Per Bush and Son and Meissner (see citation): "Vine a remarkably vigorous grower and productive bearer; wood short-jointed and hardy; foliage large, thick, healthy, yet resembles that of Delaware; the habits of the vine are similiar to those of the Diana, and it requires ample room and rather long pruning. Bunch large, shouldered, frequently double-shouldered, very compact, sometimes a little TOO compact; dark purple or purplish-lilac; peculiar, with thin white bloom; flesh very sweet, vinous, rich, and aromatic. Ripens early (usually the first week in September)." For additional information see 'Our Native Grape', pg. 180.