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Columella

Syn: Colombale, Columello

Origin: France
Purpose: Oil
Cold tolerance: Medium
Productivity: Intermediate, alternate
Ripening: Medium early
Oil content: High
 

Growth: Columella is a medium vigor tree. Its resistance to cold is rated in the literature from low to high. California data from a freeze in 1990 indicates good to medium cold tolerance. The productivity is listed as intermediate and alternate. Aglandau is said to be the traditional pollinizer for Columella but no reference to its fertility needs was found in the literature. According to anecdotal information in California, it has good consistent yields in a location that is warm, somewhat protected and surrounded by many other cultivars. In a windier and cooler location, also with other cultivars nearby, the yields are lighter.

Pests: Columella is moderately susceptible to peacock spot and highly susceptible to verticillium.

Oil: When harvested green, Columella yields an aromatic, sweet and fruity oil with a good balance of bitter and pungent notes. Grassy and herbaceous flavors are enhanced by tropical and floral flavors.

Harvest: Fruit ripening is medium early. Columella is unusual among the French cultivars normally grown in California in its suitability for early harvest. The fruit is fragile and prone to bruising; it can be damaged by windy storms as it is ripening, so an early harvest is advisable.

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