Susino Cosciamonaca gialla (local variety of plum)
Prunus domestica L.
RISK OF EROSION: High
DESCRIPTION
The fruits are small, with an average weight of 19 grams. They have an elliptical shape and are symmetrical (in ventral view), while the suture near the petiole is not very deep. At the apex both pubescence and depression are absent. The background color of the skin is yellowish green which tends to become entirely yellow in fully ripe fruit. The pulp has a color that changes from yellowish green to yellow based on the degree of ripeness, with medium firmness and succulence.
The seeds represent 5% of the total weight of the fruit. In lateral view, they have a narrow elliptical shape, in ventral vision, a narrow shape. The truncation at the base is narrow, the apex is obtuse. The lateral face has a hammered texture. The degree of adherence of the pulp to the stone is medium (semi-freestone).
The ripening of the fruits takes place around the 2nd decade of July. The shelf life is very short.
BACKGROUND
With regard to the variety, no historical references have been found that document its origin and/or provenance. The very name of the variety refers to very generic characters clearly referring to the anthropomorphic sphere, used in reference to different varieties also in other regional contexts. Giorgio Gallesio himself observed how, during his study trips, very different specimens of plum were presented to him under the name of Coscia di Monaca (Gallesio G., Travel journals, Accademia dei Georgofili, Florence, 1995: 113, 46; 136; 142). Gallesio also noted that the taxonomic confusion almost always involved the same plum varieties: Simiana, Catalana, Buon-boccone and Santa Monaca, close to each other in terms of morphological, organoleptic characteristics and/or the simple analogy of the name (Gallesio G., 1995: 116-137). Based on the descriptive characteristics and the information provided by Gallesio, the variety seems to have some connection with the summer Damaschina (Gallesio G., Italian Pomona, Summer Plum Damaschina). In Umbria, the presence of a variety with a similar name, but with different characteristics, is attested. We are talking about the Scosciamonaca plum which is distinguished not so much by the shape as by the color of the peel which is purplish in color.
TYPICAL PRODUCTION AREA
The variety appears to be widespread mainly in the Ternano area, in particular in the Municipalities of Calvi, Narni and Terni and, to a lesser extent, also in the Amerino area. In these contexts the variety, although now rarefied compared to the past, is still taken into consideration and used both for fresh consumption and for the preparation of jams.
GASTRONOMIC USE
Variety for fresh consumption, traditionally used also for the preparation of jams.
Texts taken from “Regional Register of Autochthonous Genetic Resources of the Umbria Region”
biodiversita.umbria.parco3a.org/attivita/registro-regionale/elenco-delle-risorse-iscritte