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Sorbopyrus auricularis

Common name:	Bollwyller Pear	Family:	Rosaceae
Author:	(Kroop.)Schneid.	Botanical references:	11, 200
Synonyms:	Pyrus pollveria (L.), Pyrus bollwylleriana (DC.), Pyrus auricularis (Kroop.)
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	A bi-generic hybrid of garden origin.
Habitat:	Not known in the wild.
Edibility Rating (1-5):	3	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	0

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	Azarolus pollvilleriana[G] Lazarolus pollveria[G] Pyrus irregularis[G] Pyrus malifolia[G] Pyrus pollvilla[G] Pyrus pollwilleriana[G] Pyrus tomentosa[G] X Sorbopyrus auricularis[G] X Sorbopyrus auricularis var. bulbiformis[G] X Sorbopyrus malifolia[G]
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	auricula = ear
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Rosales. Rose family

Physical Characteristics

A decidious tree growing to 12m. It is hardy to zone 5. It is in leaf from May to November, in flower in May. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 3/5 for edibility and 0/5 for medicinal use.

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

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Secondary, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.

Edible Uses

Fruit.

Fruit - raw or cooked[183]. The fruit has a dry and sweet yellowish flesh[11, 200]. Rather like a small pear, it has a very nice flavour when fully ripe[K]. The fruit is up to 5cm long[200].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a well-drained moisture-retentive soil in an open sunny position[200]. Succeeds in light shade but fruits less well in such a position.
This species is a bi-generic hybrid of garden origin between Sorbus aria and Pyrus communis[183].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible, otherwise in late winter. The plant produces very little fertile seed, and this does not breed true[200], though some interesting plants might be produced[K]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Grafting is the best method of propagating this plant. This is best carried out in early spring, though budding can be carried out in the summer.

Suppliers

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

Web References

[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for X Sorbopyrus auricularis (a possible synonym).

[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic 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.

[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.

[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.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963

This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Sorbopyrus+auricularis
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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest.