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Cydonia oblonga

Common name: Quince Family: Rosaceae
Author: Mill. Botanical references: 11, 50, 200
Synonyms: Pyrus cydonia (L.), Cydonia vulgaris (Pers.)
Known Hazards: The seed is poisonous[200]. Like many of the species in the family Rosaceae it contains hydrogen cyanide (this is the substance that gives almonds their characteristic flavour). In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.
Range: Europe - Mediterranean. An occasional garden escape in Britain[17].
Habitat: Damp rich soils in hedgerows and thickets[50, 254].
Edibility Rating (1-5): 3Medicinal Rating (1-5):2

Other Common Names:From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
Ayva Agaci [E], Haiwa [E], Haiwah [E], Mala Citonia [E], Marumero [E], Membrillo [E], Quince [E,H,P,B], Sfarjal [E], Wen Po [E],
Epithets:From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
longa = long; oblonga = oblong;
Systematics:From a USDA Plants Database
Order: Rosales. Rose family
Other Range Info: From the Ethnobotany Database
Chile; China; Europe; Iraq; Italy; Mexico; Turkey; Venezuela

Physical Characteristics

A decidious tree growing to 7.5m by 7m at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in November. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 3/5 for edibility and 2/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Secondary, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge.

Cultivar 'Bereczcki': Woodland, Secondary, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge.
Cultivar 'Champion': Woodland, Secondary, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge.
Cultivar 'Maliformis': Woodland, Secondary, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge.
Cultivar 'Meech's Prolific': Woodland, Secondary, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge.
Cultivar 'Quince A': Woodland, Secondary, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge.

Edible Uses

Drink; Flowers; Fruit; Pectin.

Fruit - raw or cooked[4]. When grown in warm temperate or tropical climates, the fruit can become soft and juicy and is suitable for eating raw[4]. In cooler climates such as Britain, however, it remains hard and astringent and needs to be cooked before being eaten[4]. It is used in jellies, preserves etc[9, 183]. The cooked fruit adds a delicious flavour to cooked apples[3, 37, 46, 61]. Strongly aromatic with a firm but rather gritty flesh[200]. The fruit is rich in pectin[200]. The fruit is about 10m long and 9cm wide, tapering to the stalk[200]. A nutritional analysis is available[218].
A drink can be made by adding the dried crushed seed to water, simmering for 5 minutes and sweetening to taste[183].
Flowers[183]. No further details are given.

Composition

Fruit (Dry weight)
In grammes per 100g weight of food:
Water: 0 Calories: 355 Protein: 2.7 Fat: 1.2 Carbohydrate: 94 Fibre: 14 Ash: 2.5
In milligrammes per 100g weight of food:
Calcium: 55 Phosphorus: 95 Iron: 4.3 Sodium: 25 Potassium: 1216 VitaminA: 130 Thiamine: 0.15 Riboflavin: 0.18 Niacin: 1.8 VitaminC: 95
Source: [218]
Notes : The figures given here are the median of a range given in the report.

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Antiinflammatory; Antivinous; Astringent; Cardiac; Carminative; Demulcent; Digestive; Diuretic; Emollient; Expectorant; Hypotensive; Laxative; Pectoral; Refrigerant; Restorative; Stimulant; Tonic.

The stem bark is astringent, it is used in the treatment of ulcers[218].
The seed is a mild but reliable laxative, astringent and anti-inflammatory[9]. When soaked in water, the seed swells up to form a mucilaginous mass. This has a soothing and demulcent action when taken internally[4] and is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases, especially in children[240]. This mucilage is also applied externally to minor burns etc[9].
The fruit is antivinous, astringent, cardiac, carminative, digestive, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, pectoral, peptic, refrigerant, restorative, stimulant and tonic[4, 9, 46, 218]. The unripe fruit is very astringent, a syrup made from it is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and is particularly safe for children[4, 254]. The fruit, and its juice, can be used as a mouthwash or gargle to treat mouth ulcers, gum problems and sore throats[254].
The leaves contain tannin and pectin[240]. Tannin can be used as an astringent whilst pectin has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system and helps to reduce blood pressure[K].

Other Uses

Gum; Pectin; Rootstock; Size.

A mucilage obtained from the seed coat is used as a gum arabic substitute to add gloss to material[61, 74]. The seed contains 20% mucilage and 15% fatty oils[74].
The fruit is rich in pectin[200]. Pectin is said to protect the body against radiation[201].
The leaves contain 11% tannin[240].

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils but prefers a light moist fertile soil and a sunny position[3, 37, 200]. Dislikes very dry or waterlogged soils[202]. Succeeds in semi-shade but does not fruit so well in such a position[202]. Plants also tolerate quite deep shade[219], though they will often not fruit at all in such a position[K].
Plants are hardy to about -15°c[202], though the fruit seldom ripens in the north of Britain unless it is grown against a sunny wall[4].
The quince has been cultivated for over two thousand years for its edible fruit and its seed, though it is not a widely grown crop[4, 46, 61, 132]. It is also much used as a dwarfing rootstock for pears and some other fruits[200]. There are some named varieties[200].
Plants require warm summers in order to fully ripen their fruit[200]. The var. 'Maliformis' ripens well in cooler summers[200].

Propagation

Seed - probably best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[K], it can also be sown in February[78]. It requires stratification[98], pre-chill the seed for 18 weeks if it is fresh, whilst old seed will require 2 weeks of warm stratification first and then 18 weeks cold treatment[164]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of mature wood, November in a cold frame[3, 37].
Layering in spring. Takes 1 year[78].
Suckers, removed in spring[200].

Cultivars

'Van Deman'
The large, oblong to pear-shaped fruit has a pale orange skin, the flesh is pale yellow and moderately coarse with a pleasantly spicy flavour - it retains a good flavour after cooking[183]. Ripens in September[183]. A high yielding tree, it is considered to be one of the hardiest cultivars[183].
'Smyrna'
The fruit is large, round to oblong in shape, the skin is lemon-yellow, the flesh tender, mild, good to very good in quality[183]. It ripens at the same time as 'Orange', but keeps much better[183]. A rapid and vigorous growing tree with unusually large leaves[183].
'Quince A'
'Orange' 'Apple'
The almost round fruit is large to very large, the skin is bright golden-yellow in colour, the flesh is very tender, orange-yellow when raw but turning red when cooked[183]. The quality is very good in areas with cool summers, inferior where summer temperatures are high[183]. This is the leading quince cultivar in the USA[183].
'Meech's Prolific'
The large, pear-shaped fruit can weigh up to 500 grammes[183]. The bright yellow skin is very fine-textured, the fruit is exceedingly fragrant and of excellent flavour, it ripens about two weeks earlier than 'Champion'[183]. A slow-growing, heavy and regular bearing tree, often producing its first crop when only 3 years old[183].
'Maliformis'
This cultivar ripens well in cooler summers[200].
'Champion'
A very large fruit weighing up to 700 grammes, it is intermediate in shape between an apple and a pear[183]. The skin is greenish-yelow, the yellow flesh is almost as tender as an apple and only slightly astringent[183]. It ripens in mid-season and keeps well[183]. A vigorous, very productive tree that bears at an early age[183]. It will often not mature its crop in areas with a short growing season[183].
'Bereczcki' 'Vranja'
The very large, pear-shaped fruit is golden-yellow in colour[183]. The quality is very good, tender when cooked[183]. A very vigorous, heavy yielding tree, it comes into bearing when still young[183].

Suppliers

Plants For A Future is working with the following groups to try and make these plants easily available. Parts of the proceeds will be donated to   so please mention us when ordering.
Cool Temperate Nurseries
10 Ivy Grove
Nottingham
NG7 7LZ
Email: philcorbett53@hotmail.com
Phone 0115 847 8302 Fax 0115 847 8302
Distribution: UK
How to order: Direct from Cool Temperate by email/phone
Notes: Many Trees supplied on their own rootstock
Last Updated: April 03
Item: Cydonia oblonga (Quince)
    Varities: Meeches Prolific and Vranja

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

PFAF Web Pages

This plant is mentioned in the following web pages

Web References

References for Cydonia vulgaris (a possible synonym).
  • [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
References for Pyrus cydonia (a possible synonym).
  • [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[3] Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7
A very readable book with information on about 100 species that can be grown in Britain (some in greenhouses) and details on how to grow and use them.

[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[9] Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[17] Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[37] Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878
Excellent general but extensive guide to gardening practices in the 19th century. A very good section on fruits and vegetables with many little known species.

[46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.

[50] ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964
An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[74] Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers.

[78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[98] Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.
Very comprehensive guide to growing trees and shrubs from seed. Not for the casual reader.

[132] Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth.
Lovely pictures, a very readable book.

[164] Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2
A well produced and very readable book.

[202] Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990 ISBN 0-670-82929-3
Contains information on 2,000 species and cultivars, giving details of cultivation requirements. The text is terse but informative.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[219] Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983 ISBN 0-00-219220-0
A nice little book about plants for growing against walls and a small section on plants that can grow in walls.

[240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

Readers Comments

Plant Passporting

Rich (michael@thewitchshaven.com) Wed Sep 26 16:58:15 2001

This information has been taken from DEFRA Guide to Plant Passporting. Which places restrictions on plants which can be traded in the UK and the EU mainly because they are carriers for pests and diseases.

Beta vulgaris (Beet), Chaenomeles (Ornamental quince, Japonica), Citrus (Orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, etc.), Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster), Crataegus (Hawthorn), Cydonia (Quince), Eriobotrya (Includes loquat), Fortunella and hybrids (Kumquat), Humulus lupulus (Hop (including ornamentals)), Malus (Apple (including ornamentals)), Mespilus (Medlar), Poncirus and hybrids (Ornamental citrus), Prunus (other than Prunus laurocerasus and Prunus lusitanica) (Includes almond, apricot, cherry, damson, greengage, nectarine, peach, plum, sloe and ornamental/flowering varieties), Pyracantha (Firethorn), Pyrus (Pear (including ornamentals)), Solanum (stolon or tuber forming types) (Potato), Sorbus (other than Sorbus intermedia) (Includes rowan and whitebeam), Stranvaesia (Stranvaesia), Vitis (Grape, includes grape vine and ornamental grape).

Many other plants require pasporting for commercial growers, these include Abies, Allium ascalonicum, Allium cepa, Allium porrum, Allium schoenoprasum, Apium graveolens, Plants of the family Araceae, Argyranthemum, Aster, Brassica, Castanea, Capsicum annuum, Cucumis, Dendranthema, Dianthus and hybrids, Euphorbia, Exacum, Fragaria, Gerbera, Gypsophila, Helianthus annuus, Impatiens (all varieties of New Guinea hybrids), Lactuca, Larix, Leucanthemum, Lupinus, Lycopersicon lycopersicum, Plants of the family Marantaceae, Medicago sativa, Plants of the family Musaceae, Nicotiana, Pelargonium, Persea, Phaseolus, Picea, Pinus, Platanus, Populus, Prunus laurocerasus and Prunus lusitanica, Pseudotsuga, Quercus, Rubus, Plants of the family Solanaceae (other than plants of stolon or tuber forming species of Solanum and their hybrids), Solanum melongena, Spinacia, Plants of the family Strelitziaceae, Tanacetum, Tsuga, Verbena.

Cross references: Plants: Beta vulgaris, Humulus lupulus. Genera: Chaenomeles, Citrus, Cotoneaster, Crataegus, Cydonia, Eriobotrya, Fortunella, Malus, Mespilus, Poncirus, Prunus, Pyracantha, Pyrus, Solanum, Sorbus, Stranvaesia, Vitis.

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