We use two criteria to classify mirlitons as "Louisiana Heirloom Varieties." One is that the fruit is morphologically unique--that it can be distinguished from other varieties by shape, size, and color. Second, we interview growers to establish that the variety has been grown for four or more decades by the same grower. There are many locally grown mirliton varieties that don't meet these two criteria but grow well: we refer to these as "locally grown" varieties in contrast to "heirloom." As of 2012, we have identified the following 15 heirloom varieties named after the people we found growing them: "Mister Rock, "Papa Sylvest," "Ishreal Thibodeaux," "Fred Fournet," "Sister Morgan," Francis Landreneau," "J.V. Richard," "Buddy Bergeron," "Ed Landry," "Elwood Shexnayder," "James Cobb," "Ervin Crawford," "Miss Olive”, “Terry Pie" and "Blackledge." (Some photos are low resolution, but appear in earlier albums in high resolution)
Ervin Crawford variety mirliton. Next several photos.
Ervin Crawford Variety
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