Shipova

The Shipova (×Sorbopyrus auricularis), also known as the Bollwiller Pear, is a hybrid between the European Pear (Pyrus communis) and the Common Whitebeam (Sorbus aria). It is a small to medium-sized tree growing to 10-18 m tall, with deciduous oval leaves 7-11 cm long and 5-6 cm broad. The fruit is a pome 2.5-3 cm long; it is edible with a sweet, yellowish flesh, which tastes similar to a Nashi Pear.

History

The hybrid first arose at Bollwiller in Alsace, France, before 1619, and has mostly been propagated by grafting since then; it is nearly sterile, only rarely producing any viable seeds. Two successful seedling propagations have been named as the cultivars 'Bulbiformis' and 'Malifolia'. However shipova trees are not widely cultivated.

References and external links

1. ^ Potter, D.; Eriksson, T.; Evans, R.C.; Oh, S.H.; Smedmark, J.E.E.; Morgan, D.R.; Kerr, M.; Robertson, K.R.; Arsenault, M.P.; Dickinson, T.A.; Campbell, C.S. (2007). Phylogeny and classification of Rosaceae. Plant Systematics and Evolution. 266(1–2): 5–43.

• Bean, W. J. (1980). Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles, eighth edition.
• US Agricultural Research Service: Shipova.
• picture of shipova fruit