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Uses

Toxic parts

None known

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[1][2]. The fruit of wild pears often remains very hard unless bletted[3]. It is more suitable for use in pies etc. The fruit is up to 5cm long[4].

Fruit

Material uses

A yellow-tan dye is obtained from the leaves[5][6]. Trees are sometimes used as part of a shelterbelt planting[7]. Wood - heavy, tough, durable, fine grained, hard. It weighs 51lb per cubic foot[7]. Used by cabinet and instrument makers[8][9][10][11]. When covered with black varnish it is an excellent ebony substitute[12].

Unknown part

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The fruit is astringent, febrifuge and sedative[13].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Pyrus communis. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a good well-drained loam in full sun[14][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], avoiding only the most acid soils[3]. Dislikes very exposed positions[3]. Established plants are drought tolerant[4]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to below -15°c[4]. Plants often sucker and can form dense thickets[3]. A parent of the cultivated pear, possibly by crossing with P. nivalis and P. cordata[8]. There are many hundreds of varieties of cultivated pears and they are widely cultivated in the temperate zone for their edible fruits. By selection of varieties fresh fruits can be obtained from late July to April or May of the following year.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Pyrus communis. 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 Pyrus communis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Pyrus communis
Genus
Pyrus
Family
Rosaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
Life Cycle
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type

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"image:Illustration Pyrus communis0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Illustration Pyrus communis0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-01-01)
  2. ? 2.02.1 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-01-01)
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold (1979-01-01)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.74.8 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-01-01)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-090-x (1975-01-01)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
  7. ? 7.07.17.2 Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. ISBN 0292780206 (1982-01-01)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-01-01)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-01-01)
  10. ? 10.010.1 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-01-01)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Vines. R. A. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press ISBN 0-292-78958-3 (1987-01-01)
  12. ? 12.012.1 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-01-01)
  13. ? 13.013.1 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)
  14. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-01-01)
  15. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-01-01)