Apples, Pears and Allies
What are they?
The five-petalled flowers and fleshy fruits of this group are a good indicator that they are in the rose family (Rosaceae) and, though there are several genera here, they are all rather closely related. Apples and pears are well-known as edible fruits which probably were first cultivated in Central Asia and the Middle East before being introduced into western Europe, where a remarkable wealth of cultivated, culinary varieties were produced. Some species popular in the past have not stood the test of time (such as Quince and Medlar) and are mostly planted as curiosities these days, while a range of smaller-fruited species (generally referred to as crab apples) have been introduced as ornamentals for their flowers, fruits and/or autumn colour.
Where are they found?
Most of these plants are ornamentals that may be found where planted as municipal street trees or as ornamentals in churchyards, parks and similar places. Self-seeded apples and pears sometimes arise spontaneously along roadsides from discarded cores after the fruit has been eaten.
Identification
This is a relatively small group, but some attention to detail is required, especially with the various apples. Details are given in the individual species texts. Note that other cultivated varieties that have not formally been recorded for East Anglia probably also occur in the wider countryside, but most floras are poor on covering such plants and their identity may currently be impossible to determine for certain.
Cultivated Apple Malus domestica
(Malus pumila, Malus sylvestris subsp. mitis) Considered to have originated as a cultivated form of Malus pumila, perhaps crossed with other apple species that are native to Central and western Asia. Commonly planted for its edible fruits in gardens, but in the wider countryside it is most often found along roadsides where seeds have germinated from discarded cores. Flowers April to May. A very variable tree due to its cultivated background and mixed ancestry. Compared with our native European Crab Apple, the leaves tend to be larger and broader and with a varying amount of hairs on their undersides. Fruits are also typically larger, but plants germinating from seed can closely approach the appearance of wild trees.
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European Crab Apple Malus sylvestris
Native in open woodland and scrub but its true distribution is difficult to define due to intermediates which may be due to hybridisation with apples of cultivated origin (though this remains to be proven). Good, apparently native, specimens still exist in scrubby areas of Breckland and perhaps elsewhere. Flowers April to May. Typically a small tree, but old specimens may reach 15m in height and broader in spread. Leaves hairless when mature, as are the flower pedicels and calyxes.
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Siberian Crab Apple Malus baccata
Introduced from Asia as an ornamental and widely planted in a range of named, cultivated varieties. Flowers April to May. A small tree with white flowers that may be flushed red or pink in bud. Leaves shallowly toothed at the margins. Fruits relatively small and cherry-like, 8-10mm across and with persistent sepals.
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Purple Crab Apple Malus x purpurea
A hybrid raised in cultivation and commonly used in municipal plantings though only rarely being found in the wider countryside. Flowers April to May. A small tree with deep purple-pink flowers and leaves that open reddish-brown and gradually become dull, brownish-green. Older trees are likely to be this hybrid, but younger trees with purple leaves may be of different ancestry as there are always new, names clones, arriving on the market.
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Culinary Pear Pyrus communis
The true Wild Pear is probably native to much of Europe and western Asia, but most plants found in the wider countryside in our region appear to have a cultivated origin. Flowers April to May. Typically a medium-sized tree, but may grow to 20m or more at times. Branches usually not spiny. Leaves at first hairy but later becoming smooth, shiny, bright green. Flowers white with red anthers (becoming purple with age). Cultivated forms produce the pears that we eat, but plants self-seeding from discarded cores along roadsides may have much smaller, rounder fruits which can be difficult to distinguish from wild pears.
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Wild Pear Pyrus communis
(Pyrus pyraster) Wild Pears are considered to have existed in old hedgerows in the East Anglian region and have been recorded in the past, but there is much debate as to the origin of such trees and modern taxonomy tends to consider Pyrus communis and Pyrus pyraster to be forms of the same species. Flowers April to May. Typically a medium-sized tree, but may grow to 20m or more at times. Branches usually spiny to some degree. Leaves at first hairy but soon becoming smooth, shiny, bright green. Flowers white with red anthers (becoming purple with age). Wild Pears produce hard, rounded fruits, no more than 3.5cm across and long.
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Willow-leaved Pear Pyrus salicifolia
Introduced from Asia Minor and the Caucasus. Occasional as an amenity tree in parks, cemeteries and urban spaces. Flowers April. Typically a small tree with slender branches often reaching down to the ground (most plants in cultivation are of the weeping variety 'Pendula'. Leaves slender, with silver-grey hairs.
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Medlar Crataegus germanica
Mespilus germanica Introduced from South-west Asia and popular in the 13th and 14th Centuries, but lost favour as the fruits are hard and need to be left on the tree until very ripe (bletted) before being edible. Recorded once or twice in our region as a relic of cultivation or garden throw-out. Flowers May to June. A small, shrubby tree to around 8m in height.
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Common Quince Cydonia oblonga
Introduced from South-west Asia for its edible fruits but only rarely found as a garden throw-out or where originally planted. Flowers April to May. A rounded, shrubby tree to around 8m in height. With broadly rounded leaves and relatively large flowers. Fruits yellowish, flattened at the base.
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