A very old apple of European origin believed to have originated in the 1600's with Duke Augustenberg of Castle Graefenstein ( Gravenstein) in Germany. It was introduced into the United States in the 1820's by Russian settlers moving into California. An oblong or lopsided fruit having bright yellow skin with a pinkish-orange flush and light red striping. The creamy yellow flesh is tender, crisp, juicy, and aromatic. A triploid, which means it has three sets of 17 chromosomes. Triploids produce very little viable pollen and cannot be used as pollinators. For their own successful pollination and good crops they need at least one or two diploids. Ripens July to August in most areas and is not a good keeper.