Legipont, also known as Fondante de Charneu, is a traditional Belgian dessert pear, with a notably sweet rich (fondant) flavour. Writing in the 1880s the English fruit enthusiast Robert Hogg described it as “richly flavoured“.
The pears are usually ripe in mid-September, and should be picked and eaten as soon as the skin colour starts to change from pale green to gold yellow. They can also be kept in the fridge for a week or so.
Legipont is named after its discover, Mr Legipont of Charneu, a town near Liege in Belgium, who found it growing as a chance seedling in the early 19th century.
Variety characteristics
Belgian variety bred in the early 18th century by Martin Joseph Légipont, at Charneux near Liège.
Origin and identity
Exact parents unknown
Fondante de Charneux
Growth and adaptation
Fairly strong vigour, high-stem habit
Weak compatibility with quince rootstock; use an interstem or a Pyrus-type rootstock.
Disease behaviour
Moderately to fairly susceptible on fruits, low susceptibility on leaves and wood
Additional variety information for Legipont is provided in partnership with Orange Pippin.
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