Morello cherry
{{Short description|Sour cherry cultivar}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
Morello is the most widely planted cultivar group of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus subsp. acida) in Central Europe.{{cite journal |title=The structure of the tetraploid sour cherry 'Schattenmorelle' (Prunus cerasus L.) genome reveals insights into its segmental allopolyploid nature |journal=Frontiers in Plant Science |date=30 November 2023 |volume=14 |doi=10.3389/fpls.2023.1284478 |doi-access=free |last1=Wöhner |first1=Thomas W. |last2=Emeriewen |first2=Ofere F. |last3=Wittenberg |first3=Alexander H. J. |last4=Nijbroek |first4=Koen |last5=Wang |first5=Rui Peng |last6=Blom |first6=Evert-Jan |last7=Schneiders |first7=Harrie |last8=Keilwagen |first8=Jens |last9=Berner |first9=Thomas |last10=Hoff |first10=Katharina J. |last11=Gabriel |first11=Lars |last12=Thierfeldt |first12=Hannah |last13=Almolla |first13=Omar |last14=Barchi |first14=Lorenzo |last15=Schuster |first15=Mirko |last16=Lempe |first16=Janne |last17=Peil |first17=Andreas |last18=Flachowsky |first18=Henryk |pmid=38107002 |pmc=10722297 }} It is a late-ripening cherry with high yields.{{cite journal |last1=Schuster |first1=Mirko |title=Sauerkirsche: 'Spinell' |journal=JKI Datenblätter Obstsorten; 2013/2; 1-9 |date=2013 |doi=10.5073/jkidos.2013.002}}
It also gives its name to a group of varieties of the subspecies acida: the tarter, dark-juiced morello cherries. These include the varieties "Balaton", "Ostheim" and "Fanal". On the other hand, the morello cherry in the narrower sense consists of a mixture of forms that have a certain genetic diversity and from which some named clones have been selected, like "Scharö" and "Boscha".
Description
=Fruit=
Fruit occurs only on year-old shoots.
The fruit stalk is of medium length at around {{convert|40|mm|abbr=on}} and usually has one or more leaflets. The drupe is large to very large at around 21 mm and 5.3 grams, roundish to slightly oval, depending on the yield. The colour of the firm skin has a matt sheen. It is initially red and turns darker to blackish red when fully ripe. The flesh is soft and very juicy and dark red. Despite the high sugar content and a pH value of 3.4, it has a distinctly sour taste, which is intensified even more by cooking. The stone is relatively large at around {{convert|12.5|mm|abbr=on}}, elongated-oval in shape, separates very easily from the flesh and usually remains attached to the stalk. The fruit ripens in cherry weeks 8 to 9.{{cite web |title=Sauerkirsche |url=https://www.lwg.bayern.de/gartenbau/obstbau/085474/ |website=lwg.bayern.de |language=de}}
=Site and soil=
The tree is undemanding and also suitable for cool and cold locations, but is sensitive to heat and drought. It is susceptible to Monilinia tip blight.{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/obstbauimgartene00vani|title=Obstbau im Garten : ein Leitfaden für d. Obstbau im Klein-, Siedler-, Haus- u. ländlichen Nutzgarten|first=Karl-Heinz|last=Vanicek|date=10 March 1956|publisher=Berlin : Dt. Landwirtschaftsverl.|via=Internet Archive}} It prefers a semi-shady location.
Cultivation and use
The trees require heavy pruning. Strong aroma and acidity make morello a standard variety for processing.
The fruit is often processed into jams and preserves. It is the most widely used cherry variety for all kinds of baked goods, including the world-famous Black Forest gateau. It is not recommended for fresh eating due to its strong acidity.
The morello cherry is also used to make kirsch, cherry liqueur and pralines.
History
General references
- [https://arche-noah.at/media/schattenmorelle.pdf Detailed description] at Arche-Noah.at (german)
- Walter Hartmann, Eckhart Fritz: Farbatlas Alte Obstsorten, published by E. Ulmer, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5672-6, [http://www.netzwerk-streuobst-filderstadt.de/9-mog/42-baum36 page 306]
- Johann Georg Dittrich: Systematisches Handbuch der Obstkunde nebst Anleitung zur Obstbaumzucht und zweckmäßiger Benutzung des Obstes, tome 2: Steinobstfrüchte, published by Friedrich Mauke, Jena 1837, ([https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_iM86AAAAcAAJ/page/137 pages 137 f])