Pyrus pyrifolia var. culta

(Makino) Nakai

Asian pear, Chinese pear, Japanese pear, Nashi, Oriental pear, Sand pear, Nashpati, Berikai

Rosaceae Edible: Fruit 1,263 iNaturalist observations

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MBG

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Botanical Research Institute of Texas

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William & Mary

Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Pyrus pyrifolia is a species of pear tree native to southern China and northern Indochina that has been introduced to Korea, Japan and other parts of the world. The tree's edible fruit is known by many names, including Asian pear, Persian pear, Japanese pear, Chinese pear, Korean pear, Taiwanese pear, apple pear, zodiac pear, three-halves pear, papple, naspati, bata kisbis, Fefeta grained pear and sand pear. Along with cultivars of P. × bretschneideri and Pyrus ussuriensis, the fruit is also called the nashi pear. Cultivars derived from Pyrus pyrifolia are grown throughout East Asia, and in other countries such Pakistan, Nepal, Australia, New Zealand, and America. Traditionally in East Asia the tree's flowers are a popular symbol of early spring, and it is a common sight in gardens and the countryside. The fruits are not generally baked in pies or made into jams because they have a high water content and a crisp, grainy texture, very different from the European varieties. They are commonly served raw and peeled. The fruit tends to be quite large and fragrant. When carefully wrapped, having a tendency to bruise because of its juiciness, it can last for several weeks (or more) in a cold, dry place.

Description

A tree. It grows 14 m tall. The branches have many spur shoots. The leaf blades are oval and 8-10 cm long. The flowers are white. The fruit are almost round. They are 5-8 cm across. The flesh is hard.

Edible Uses

The fruit are eaten, though they are somewhat hard and gritty.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten. They are somewhat hard and gritty.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant.

Where It Grows

Asia, China, Hawaii, India, Japan, Korea, Pacific, USA,

Other Information

It is cultivated.

Synonyms

Pyrus serotina var. culta (Makino) Rehder

Also Known As

Baenamu

References (8)

Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 507
Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 84
Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 40:564. 1926
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Song, M., et al, 2013, Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants in Jeju Island, Korea. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 12(2) pp 177-194

Show all 8 references

Staples, G.W. and Herbst, D.R., 2005, A tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. p 477
USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/econ.pl (10 April 2000)
Wiersema, J. H. & Leon, B., 2013, World Economic Plants. A Standard Reference CRC Press. 2nd Ed. p 575