Pyrus amygdaliformis

Vill.

Almond pear, Almond-leafed pear

Rosaceae Edible: Fruit 2,487 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Deciduous tree reaching 10 m by 8 m, hardy to UK zone 6. Flowers in May with hermaphrodite blooms pollinated by insects. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with well-drained preference, pH from mildly acidic to mildly alkaline, semi-shade or full sun, and both moist and drought conditions. Resists atmospheric pollution.

Description

A large shrub or small tree. It grows 6 m high and spreads 3.5 m wide. It can have spines on its branches. The leaves are narrow and often have shallow teeth along the edge. The leaves are silvery at first then turn green. The fruit are small and round. They are yellow-brown.

Edible Uses

The fruit, which grows up to 3cm in diameter, can be eaten raw or cooked.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten raw. They are also used for drinks and jam. They are used in pickles.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Where It Grows

Africa, Albania, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Europe, France, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Mediterranean, North Africa, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Türkiye, Yugoslavia,

Cultivation

Prefers a good well-drained loam in full sun. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates light shade but does not fruit so well in such a position. Tolerates atmospheric pollution, excessive moisture and a range of soil types if they are moderately fertile. Established plants are drought tolerant. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c.

Propagation

Seed is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in autumn, when it will usually germinate in mid to late winter. Stored seed requires 8–10 weeks of cold stratification at 1°C and should be sown as early in the year as possible. Temperatures above 15–20°C can induce secondary dormancy. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough and grow on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for their first year, then plant out in late spring or early summer of the following year.

Other Uses

None known.

Other Information

The fruit are normally small and hard and not really edible.

Synonyms

Pyrus parviflora Desf.and others

Also Known As

Cogur armudu, Deli armut, Divlje jabuka, Divlja kruska, Kruska trnovaca, Pirastru, Trnovaca, Yaban armudu

References (18)

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Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1117
Dogan, Y., et al, 2004, The Use of Wild Edible Plants in Western and Central Anatolia (Turkey). Economic Botany 58(4) pp. 684-690

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Luczaj, L. et al, 2013, Wild food plants used in the villages of the Lake Vrana Nature Park (northern Dalmatia, Croatia). Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae, 82(4): 275-281
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