Pseudocydonia | |
---|---|
Pseudocydonia sinensis | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Rosales |
Family: | Rosaceae |
Subfamily: | Amygdaloideae |
Tribe: | Maleae |
Subtribe: | Malinae |
Genus: |
Pseudocydonia C.K.Schneid. |
Species: | P. sinensis
|
Binomial name | |
Pseudocydonia sinensis | |
Synonyms [1] | |
Pseudocydonia sinensis or Chinese quince ( Chinese: 木瓜; pinyin: mùguā) is a deciduous or semi- evergreen tree in the family Rosaceae, native to southern and eastern China. It is the sole species in the genus Pseudocydonia. [1] Its hard, astringent fruit is used in traditional Chinese medicine [2] and as a food in East Asia. Trees are generally 10–18 metres (33–59 ft) tall.
The tree is closely related to the east Asian genus Chaenomeles, and is sometimes placed as Chaenomeles sinensis, [3] but lacks thorns and has single, not clustered, flowers. Chinese quince is further distinguished from quince, Cydonia oblonga, [4] by its serrated leaves and lack of fuzz.
In China, both the tree and its fruit are called mùguā (木瓜), which also refers to papaya and the flowering quince ( Chaenomeles speciosa). In Korea the tree is called mogwa-namu (모과나무) and the fruit mogwa (모과) (from mokgwa (목과; 木瓜), the Korean reading of the Chinese characters). In Japan, both tree and fruit are called karin (花梨; rarely 榠樝) except in medicine where the fruit is called wa-mokka (和木瓜) from the Chinese and Korean names. [5][ circular reference]
Trees grow 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 with 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 when it ripens in late autumn.[ citation needed]
The fruit is hard and astringent, though it softens and becomes less astringent after a period of frost. It can be used to make jam, much like quince. In Korea, the fruit is used to make mogwa-cheong (preserved quince) and mogwa-cha (quince tea).[ citation needed]
The fruit is also used in traditional Chinese medicine. [2]
Chinese quince is also grown as an ornamental tree.[ citation needed] In Haeju, North Korea two Chinese Quinces planted in 1910 are national monuments, being probably the tallest of specimens in the country. [6]
Pseudocydonia | |
---|---|
Pseudocydonia sinensis | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Rosales |
Family: | Rosaceae |
Subfamily: | Amygdaloideae |
Tribe: | Maleae |
Subtribe: | Malinae |
Genus: |
Pseudocydonia C.K.Schneid. |
Species: | P. sinensis
|
Binomial name | |
Pseudocydonia sinensis | |
Synonyms [1] | |
Pseudocydonia sinensis or Chinese quince ( Chinese: 木瓜; pinyin: mùguā) is a deciduous or semi- evergreen tree in the family Rosaceae, native to southern and eastern China. It is the sole species in the genus Pseudocydonia. [1] Its hard, astringent fruit is used in traditional Chinese medicine [2] and as a food in East Asia. Trees are generally 10–18 metres (33–59 ft) tall.
The tree is closely related to the east Asian genus Chaenomeles, and is sometimes placed as Chaenomeles sinensis, [3] but lacks thorns and has single, not clustered, flowers. Chinese quince is further distinguished from quince, Cydonia oblonga, [4] by its serrated leaves and lack of fuzz.
In China, both the tree and its fruit are called mùguā (木瓜), which also refers to papaya and the flowering quince ( Chaenomeles speciosa). In Korea the tree is called mogwa-namu (모과나무) and the fruit mogwa (모과) (from mokgwa (목과; 木瓜), the Korean reading of the Chinese characters). In Japan, both tree and fruit are called karin (花梨; rarely 榠樝) except in medicine where the fruit is called wa-mokka (和木瓜) from the Chinese and Korean names. [5][ circular reference]
Trees grow 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 with 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 when it ripens in late autumn.[ citation needed]
The fruit is hard and astringent, though it softens and becomes less astringent after a period of frost. It can be used to make jam, much like quince. In Korea, the fruit is used to make mogwa-cheong (preserved quince) and mogwa-cha (quince tea).[ citation needed]
The fruit is also used in traditional Chinese medicine. [2]
Chinese quince is also grown as an ornamental tree.[ citation needed] In Haeju, North Korea two Chinese Quinces planted in 1910 are national monuments, being probably the tallest of specimens in the country. [6]