Pyrus x lecontei
Le Conte Pear
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. The flesh is crisp-fleshed like that of the Asian pears and is ready to eat when picked. It requires no further ripening and can store for several days to several months[1]. Occasionally eaten fresh, it is more commonly cooked in pies, preserves etc[1]. A sour taste[2]. The fruit is up to 8cm long and 5cm wide[2].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Secondary canopy
Environment
- Range
- A garden hybrid, P. communis x P. pyrifolia.
- Habitat
- Not known in the wild.
- 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[2]. Temperatures over 15 - 20°c induce a secondary dormancy in the seed[2]. 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. This species is a hybrid and is unlikely to breed true to type from seed.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a good well-drained loam in full sun[2]. 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[2]. Established plants are drought tolerant[2]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[2]. This hybrid species has a greater resistance to fireblight than either of its parents though the fruit quality is poorer[1]. Occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties[1].
References
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5