Chaenomeles speciosa
Japanese Quince
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Chaenomeles genus in the family Rosaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Genus
- Chaenomeles
- Is a variety
- No
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 3 (unit unspecified)
- Spread
- 5 (unit unspecified)
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - cooked. Very harsh and acid raw but fragrant when cooked[1][3].
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Product or use
- Jam
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The fruit is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, astringent and digestive[5][11][12]. A decoction is used internally in the treatment of nausea, joint pains, cholera and associated cramps[5][11][12].
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Product or use
- Analgesic
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Product or use
- Antiinflammatory
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Product or use
- Digestive
- Product or use
- Antiemetic
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China. An occasional garden escape in Britain[6].
- Habitat
- Long cultivated, its natural habitat is now obscure.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- permanent shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Wind
- No
- Maritime
- No
- Pollution
- No
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sheltered position outdoors or in a cold frame[10]. Sow stored seed in February in a greenhouse[16]. Germination usually takes place within 6 weeks[16]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. If well grown, these seedling can be large enough to plant out in the summer, but give them some protection in their first winter. Otherwise plant them out in late spring of the following year[K]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[3]. Easy[4]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, November in a cold frame. Layering in late spring or in autumn. This is a sure and easy method, though it takes 12 months[16][10].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Easily cultivated in any reasonably good soil[1][3]. Prefers a deep moist well-drained loam[3]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates full shade but requires a sunny position for best fruit production[14][3][10]. Becomes chlorotic on very alkaline soils[10]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[10]. This species is hardy to about -25°c[10]. Plants fruit freely in Britain, but the fruit does not always ripen. They do best when grown against a south-facing wall[3]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named varieties developed for their ornamental value[8][9]. Closely allied to C. japonica[3]. A good bee plant, flowering early in the year and providing pollen and nectar[2]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[10].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 32202/01/01
International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 32202/01/01
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 32202/01/01
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0942375009
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 32202/01/01
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 32202/01/01 ISBN 3874292169
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0900629649
Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 32202/01/01