Pyrus regellii
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Pyrus genus in the family Rosaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked[2]. The fruit is about 3cm in diameter[3].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Used as a rootstock[4].
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy, Secondary canopy
Environment
- Range
- W. Asia - Turkestan.
- Habitat
- Dry stony slopes, rocks, sometimes in valleys on deeper moist soils, 1000 - 2000 metres[4].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- 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[3]. Temperatures over 15 - 20°c induce a secondary dormancy in the seed[3]. 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[3]. 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[3]. Established plants are very drought resistant[4]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[3]. Cultivated for its edible fruit in China and Japan, there are many named varieties. A hybrid between this plant and P. communis culta is more suitable for warmer climates. The leaves are remarkably variable in shape[1]. Trees are used in the re-afforestation of arid areas[4].
References
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00