Chaenomeles japonica

Chaenomeles japonica, called the Japanese quince, Maule's quince, or "Japonica", is a species of flowering quince that is native to Japan. It is a thorny deciduous shrub that is commonly cultivated. It is shorter than another commonly cultivated species C. speciosa, growing to only about 1 m in height. It is best known for its colorful spring flowers, which are red, white, pink or multicoloured.

Description

A shrub. It has many stems. It grows 90-150 cm high. It loses its leaves during the year. It is a straggling plant. It has horizontal, spreading, thorny branches. The leaves are alternate and long and pointed. They have fine teeth around the edge. The flowers are 3.5 cm across. They are orange or red. The fruit are small and round. They are yellow and have a pleasant scent. They become sticky when ripe.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked, though it is very harsh and acid when raw. When cooked it becomes fragrant, imparting a strong, pleasant flavour to jams and jellies, and is especially good cooked with apples in apple pies. The fruit is apple-shaped and about 4cm in diameter. The rich aromatic juice, as tart as a lemon, can be squeezed and used for culinary purposes.

Traditional Uses

The skin of the fruit can be used for jams and jellies. The fruit can be used to add flavour to pies. The juice is used for flavouring. They can be crushed and fermented to make wine.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

The fruit is edible, but hard and astringent, unless bletted or cooked. As with all fruits of the rose family, the pulp is non-toxic and the kernels contain small amounts of poison. The fruit is occasionally used in jam, jelly and pie making as a substitute for its cousin, the true quince, Cydonia oblonga. C. japonica is also popularly grown in bonsai. It accepts all types of soil, but grows very slowly in calcareous soil.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. They are frost hardy. They will grow in most types of soil. It can tolerate drought. It is best in rich, well-drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 6-9. Arboretum Tasmania.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, China*, Europe, Finland, Japan*, Korea, Lithuania, Scandinavia, Tasmania,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from cuttings or suckers.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sheltered position outdoors or in a cold frame. Stored seed should be sown in February in a greenhouse; germination usually takes place within 6 weeks. Prick seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Well-grown seedlings may be large enough to plant out in summer, but should be given some protection in their first winter; otherwise plant out in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood can be taken in July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth can be taken in November in a cold frame. Layering in late spring or autumn is a reliable method, though it takes 12 months. Suckers can be divided in late winter and planted straight into their permanent positions.

Other Uses

Plants sucker freely and can be used as ground cover. The form C. japonica alpina grows to about half the size of the species and is especially suitable for this purpose, planted approximately 1 metre apart each way.

Other Information

It is a cultivated food plant.

Notes

There are about 3 Chaenomeles species.

Synonyms

References (26)

• Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 62
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 243
• Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 251
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 363
• Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 202

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