Chaenomeles speciosa

Chaenomeles speciosa, the flowering quince, Chinese quince or Japanese quince, is a thorny deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub native to eastern Asia. It is taller than another commonly cultivated species, C. japonica, usually growing to about 2 m (6 ft 7 in). The flowers are usually red, but may be pink, white or green. The fruit is a fragrant, hard pome that resembles a quince.

Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows 1.8-2.5 m tall and spreads 2.5-3.7 m wide. The leaves are 10 cm long and 3.5 cm wide. The flowers are red and occur singly. They are 3-5 cm across. The flowers and fruit have short stalks. The fruit is small. They are 4-7 cm long. It smells like a quince. The fruit form on the older wood. There are some named cultivated varieties.

Edible Uses

The fruit is best cooked, as it is very harsh and acid when raw but becomes fragrant with cooking. It is used for jams, jellies, and as a flavouring with cooked apples. The fruit can be apple- or pear-shaped and reaches up to 6.5cm long by 6.5cm wide.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are normally made into jelly or jam. They can be used to flavour fruit pies. They can be parboiled or cooked and mashed after the seeds are removed then honey and ginger added to make a drink. The fruit are used as a spice and to prepare wine.

Medicinal Uses

The fruit is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, astringent, and digestive. A decoction is used internally in the treatment of nausea, joint pains, cholera, and associated cramps.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It is frost hardy. It does best in a warm climate to fully ripen the fruit. Plants fruit best in the sun. It suits hardiness zones 6-9. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Britain, China*, Europe, Himalayas, Indochina, Japan, Madagascar, Myanmar, SE Asia, Slovenia, Tibet, USA,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown by seed. They can also be grown by semi-ripe cuttings or by layering.

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.

Other Uses

Plants can be grown as a medium-sized hedge. Some cultivars, such as 'Jet Trail', are suitable for use as ground cover. Also used as an espalier and valued for attracting wildlife.

Production

In Yunnan fruit are harvested in September and October.

Notes

There are about 3 Chaenomeles species.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Japonica, Japonska kutina, Kaontsisinoa, Suomugua, Wrinkled-skinned quince, Zhoupi Mugua

References (33)

• 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 244
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 244 (As Chaenomeles lagenaria)
• Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 251
• Brown, D., 2002, The Royal Horticultural Society encyclopedia of Herbs and their uses. DK Books. p 163

More from Rosaceae

Rosa nutkana

Nootka Rose, Nutka rose

Rosa obtusifolia

Rosa odorata var. gigantea

Manipur wild-tea rose, Giant rose of the Himalayas

🌱

Rosa osmastonii

Rosa oxyacantha

Acute-prickly rose

Rosa palustris

Swamp rose