Southern-cross pear (Pyrus x lecontei) — Edible Plant

Summary

A deciduous hybrid tree reaching 8 m tall, hardy to UK zone 6. Hermaphroditic, insect-pollinated flowers. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage; tolerates mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline pH. Grows in semi-shade or full sun, prefers moist soil but tolerates drought and atmospheric pollution.

Description

A deciduous hybrid tree reaching 8 m tall, hardy to UK zone 6. Hermaphroditic, insect-pollinated flowers. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage; tolerates mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline pH. Grows in semi-shade or full sun, prefers moist soil but tolerates drought and atmospheric pollution.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and has a sour taste. Like Asian pears, the flesh is crisp and ready to eat straight from the tree with no further ripening needed. It can be stored for several days to several months. While it is occasionally eaten fresh, it is more commonly used cooked in pies, preserves, and similar preparations. The fruit grows up to 8cm long and 5cm wide.

Traditional Uses

The fruit is mostly cooked.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Pyrus × lecontei Rehder First published in J. Arnold Arbor. 7: 28 (1926) is unplaced. Unplaced names are names that cannot be accepted, nor can they be put into synonymy

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. This hybrid species has a greater resistance to fireblight than either of its parents though the fruit quality is poorer. Occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties.

Propagation

Seed is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in autumn, when it will typically 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 out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for their first year. Plant out in late spring or early summer the following year. As a hybrid, this species is unlikely to come true from seed.

Other Uses

None known

Synonyms

Pyrus communis x Pyrus pyrifolia

References (3)

Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 206
J. Arnold Arbor. 7:28. 1926
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/