Pyrocydonia danielii
H. K. A. Winkl. ex Daniel
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit
The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. When fully ripe it is crisp and juicy with a flavour reminiscent of pear, though of inferior quality to most pears.
Where to Find It
It is a temperate plant. It suits USDA hardiness zones 5-9.
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How to Identify
A tree. It is a hybrid produced by grafting. It grows 5 m tall and loses its leaves during the year.
How to Grow
Prefers a good well-drained loam in full sun. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates light shade but does not fruit so well in such a position. Tolerates atmospheric pollution, excessive moisture and a range of soil types if they are moderately fertile. Established plants are drought tolerant.
Propagation: This is a bigeneric hybrid and will not breed true from seed even if fertile seed is produced. Any seed obtained is best sown in autumn in a cold frame. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough and grow on in the cold frame through their first winter, then plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Softwood cuttings taken in early summer, treated with rooting hormone and rooted in a closed case with bottom heat, can also be tried. Grafting onto Pyrus communis is another option.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Other Uses
None known.
Wikipedia
Pyrocydonia danielii is a deciduous tree growing to 5 m tall. Hermaphroditic flowers are pollinated by insects but the plant is not self-fertile. It adapts to light sandy through heavy clay soils with good drainage, growing in mildly acid to basic pH. The plant tolerates semi-shade or full sun, prefers moist soil, and can withstand drought and atmospheric pollution. Hardy to UK zone 6.
Names & Synonyms
References (2)
- Compt. Rend. Hebd. Seances Acad. Sci. 157:995. 1913 "Pirocydonia"
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
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