Practical
Plants

Pyrus elaeagnifolia

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Pyrus genus in the family Rosaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Pyrus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
10 m
Spread
10 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked[1][3]. The flesh is rather tough and gritty, but has a reasonable flavour when it is fully ripe[K]. The fruits are up to 2cm long[4].

Plant part
Fruit

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
S.E. Europe to W. Asia.
Habitat
Dry places in S. Europe[5]. Deciduous and coniferous forests, forest remnants etc, from sea level to 1700 metres in Turkey[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn, it will then usually germinate in mid to late winter. Stored seed requires 8 - 10 weeks cold stratification at 1°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible[4]. Temperatures over 15 - 20°c induce a secondary dormancy in the seed[4]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for their first year. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a good well-drained loam in full sun[4]. 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[4]. Established plants are drought tolerant[4]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[4]. The branches are thorny[4]. This species is closely related to P. nivalis[2].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

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  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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  5. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

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  6. Davis. P. H. Flora of Turkey. Edinburgh University Press 1965-00-00

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