Pseudocydonia
Pseudocydonia | |
---|---|
Pseudocydonia sinensis | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Rosales |
Family: | Rosaceae |
Subfamily: | Amygdaloideae |
Tribe: | Maleae |
Subtribe: | Malinae |
Genus: | Pseudocydonia C.K.Schneid. |
Species: | P. sinensis |
Binomial name | |
Pseudocydonia sinensis | |
Synonyms[1] | |
Pseudocydonia sinensis or Chinese quince (Chinese: 木瓜; pinyin: mùguā) is a deciduous or semi-evergreen tree in the family Rosaceae, native to southern and eastern China. It is the sole species in the genus Pseudocydonia.[1] Its hard, astringent fruit is used in traditional Chinese medicine[2] and as a food in East Asia. Trees are generally 10–18 metres (33–59 ft) tall.
The tree is closely related to the east Asian genus Chaenomeles, and is sometimes placed as Chaenomeles sinensis,[3] but lacks thorns and has single, not clustered, flowers. Chinese quince is further distinguished from quince, Cydonia oblonga,[4] by its serrated leaves and lack of fuzz.
Names
[edit]In China, both the tree and its fruit are called mùguā (木瓜), which also refers to papaya and the flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa). In Korea the tree is called mogwa-namu (모과나무) and the fruit mogwa (모과; from mokgwa (Korean: 목과; Hanja: 木瓜), the Korean reading of the Chinese characters). In Japan, both tree and fruit are called karin (花梨; rarely 榠樝) except in medicine where the fruit is called wa-mokka (和木瓜) from the Chinese and Korean names.[5][circular reference]
Characteristics
[edit]Trees grow to 10–18 m tall, with a dense, twiggy crown. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, 6–12 cm long and 3–6 cm broad, and with serrated margin. The flowers are 2.5–4 cm diameter, with five pale pink petals; flowering is in mid spring. The fruit is a large ovoid pome 12–17 cm long with five carpels; it gives off an intense, sweet smell when it ripens in late autumn.[citation needed]
Uses
[edit]The fruit is hard and astringent, though it softens and becomes less astringent after a period of frost. It can be used to make jam, much like quince. In Korea, the fruit is used to make mogwa-cheong (preserved quince) and mogwa-cha (quince tea).[citation needed]
The fruit is also used in traditional Chinese medicine.[2]
Chinese quince is also grown as an ornamental tree.[citation needed] In Haeju, North Korea two Chinese Quinces planted in 1910 are national monuments, being probably the tallest of specimens in the country.[6]
Gallery
[edit]- Trunk detail
- Leaf detail
- Autumn leaves
See also
[edit]- Flowering quinces, genus Chaenomeles
- Quince (Cydonia oblonga)
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Pseudocydonia sinensis". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- ^ a b Lim, T. K. "Pseudocydonia sinensis." Edible Medicinal And Non-Medicinal Plants. Springer Netherlands, 2012. 515-522.
- ^ "Chaenomeles sinensis in Flora of China @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org.
- ^ Campbell, C.S.; Evans, R.C.; Morgan, D.R.; Dickinson, T.A.; Arsenault, M.P. (2007). "Phylogeny of subtribe Pyrinae (formerly the Maloideae, Rosaceae): Limited resolution of a complex evolutionary history" (PDF). Plant Systematics and Evolution. 266 (1–2): 119–145. Bibcode:2007PSyEv.266..119C. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.453.8954. doi:10.1007/s00606-007-0545-y. S2CID 13639534.
- ^ ja:カリン (バラ科)
- ^ "Naenara Democratic People's Republic of Korea". naenara.com.kp. Retrieved 2021-04-23.