Uses
Toxic parts
The seed is poisonous[1]. Like many of the species in the family Rosaceae it contains hydrogen cyanide (this is the substance that gives almonds their characteristic flavour). In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.
Edible uses
Notes
Fruit - raw or cooked[2]. When grown in warm temperate or tropical climates, the fruit can become soft and juicy and is suitable for eating raw[2]. In cooler climates such as Britain, however, it remains hard and astringent and needs to be cooked before being eaten[2]. It is used in jellies, preserves etc[3][4]. The cooked fruit adds a delicious flavour to cooked apples[5][6][7][8]. Strongly aromatic with a firm but rather gritty flesh[1]. The fruit is rich in pectin[1]. The fruit is about 10m long and 9cm wide, tapering to the stalk[1]. A nutritional analysis is available[9]. A drink can be made by adding the dried crushed seed to water, simmering for 5 minutes and sweetening to taste[4]. Flowers[4]. No further details are given.
Flowers
Fruit
Material uses
A mucilage obtained from the seed coat is used as a gum arabic substitute to add gloss to material[8][10]. The seed contains 20% mucilage and 15% fatty oils[10]. The fruit is rich in pectin[1]. Pectin is said to protect the body against radiation[11]. The leaves contain 11% tannin[12].
Medicinal uses(Warning!)
The stem bark is astringent, it is used in the treatment of ulcers[9]. The seed is a mild but reliable laxative, astringent and anti-inflammatory[3]. When soaked in water, the seed swells up to form a mucilaginous mass. This has a soothing and demulcent action when taken internally[2] and is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases, especially in children[12]. This mucilage is also applied externally to minor burns etc[3]. The fruit is antivinous, astringent, cardiac, carminative, digestive, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, pectoral, peptic, refrigerant, restorative, stimulant and tonic[2][3][7][9]. The unripe fruit is very astringent, a syrup made from it is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and is particularly safe for children[2][13]. The fruit, and its juice, can be used as a mouthwash or gargle to treat mouth ulcers, gum problems and sore throats[13]. The leaves contain tannin and pectin[12]. Tannin can be used as an astringent whilst pectin has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system and helps to reduce blood pressure[K].
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Seed - probably best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[K], it can also be sown in February[14]. It requires stratification[15], pre-chill the seed for 18 weeks if it is fresh, whilst old seed will require 2 weeks of warm stratification first and then 18 weeks cold treatment[16]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of mature wood, November in a cold frame[5][6]. Layering in spring. Takes 1 year[14]. Suckers, removed in spring[1].
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Cydonia oblonga. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Succeeds in most soils but prefers a light moist fertile soil and a sunny position[5][6][1]. Dislikes very dry or waterlogged soils[17]. Succeeds in semi-shade but does not fruit so well in such a position[17]. Plants also tolerate quite deep shade[18], though they will often not fruit at all in such a position[K]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[17], though the fruit seldom ripens in the north of Britain unless it is grown against a sunny wall[2]. The quince has been cultivated for over two thousand years for its edible fruit and its seed, though it is not a widely grown crop[2][7][8][19]. It is also much used as a dwarfing rootstock for pears and some other fruits[1]. There are some named varieties[1]. Plants require warm summers in order to fully ripen their fruit[1]. The var. 'Maliformis' ripens well in cooler summers[1].
Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Cydonia oblonga. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Cydonia oblonga.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
"image:QuinceBloom.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
References
- ? 1.001.011.021.031.041.051.061.071.081.091.101.111.121.13 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-01-01)
- ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.72.82.9 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-01-01)
- ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.5 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-01-01)
- ? 4.04.14.24.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-01-01)
- ? 5.05.15.25.3 Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 (1972-01-01)
- ? 6.06.16.26.3 Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (1878-01-01)
- ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-01-01)
- ? 8.08.18.28.38.4 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-01-01)
- ? 9.09.19.29.39.4 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-01-01)
- ? 10.010.110.2 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-01-01)
- ? 11.011.1 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-01-01)
- ? 12.012.112.212.312.4 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-01-01)
- ? 13.013.113.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-01-01)
- ? 14.014.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-01-01)
- ? Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. ()
- ? Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. (1990-01-01)
- ? 17.017.117.2 Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. ISBN 0-670-82929-3 (1990-01-01)
- ? Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (1983-01-01)
- ? Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. ()
-
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