| Pseudocydonia | |
|---|---|
| Pseudocydonia sinensis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Subfamily: | Amygdaloideae |
| Tribe: | Maleae |
| Subtribe: | Malinae |
| Genus: | Pseudocydonia C.K.Schneid. |
| Species: | P. sinensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Pseudocydonia sinensis C.K.Schneid. |
|
Pseudocydonia sinensis (Chinese Quince), the only species in the genus Pseudocydonia, is a deciduous or semi-evergreen tree in the family Rosaceae, native to eastern Asia in China. It is closely related to the east Asian genus Chaenomeles, and is sometimes placed in Chaenomeles as C. sinensis,[1] but notable differences are the lack of thorns, and that the flowers are produced singly, not in clusters. It is also related to the European Quince genus Cydonia, but one notable difference is the serrated leaves.
In China, the species is called "mugua", while in Korea, it is called "mogwa" (hangul: 모과; Chinese/hanja: 木瓜 - not to be confused with "papaya", whose Chinese transliteration is also called 木瓜) which is used for medicine or for making beverages.[2] In Japan, it is known as "karin - 花梨" (花 - a flower, 梨 - a pear of an Asian round variety that is called "nashi").
It grows to 10–18 m tall, with a dense, twiggy crown. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, 6–12 cm long and 3–6 cm broad, and have a serrated margin. The flowers are 2.5–4 cm diameter, with five pale pink petals; flowering is in mid spring. The fruit is a large ovoid pome 12–17 cm long with five carpels; it gives off an intense, sweet smell and it ripens in late autumn.
The fruit is hard and astringent, though it does soften and becomes less astringent ("bletted") after frost. It can be used in the same way as quinces for making jam. It is also grown as an ornamental tree in southern Europe.