Description

Leaves: Evergreen; dark green, glossy, and hairless above; covered in brown hairs and lighter colored below; alternate; simple; wrinkled; variable in size, but large (6" to 9" in length and 3" to 4" in width); inversely lance-shaped to inversely egg-shaped (narrowly), tapering to a slender point with acute angle towards base (wedge-shaped), coarsely serrate; parallel veins; petiole short (1/3") and hairy.

Twigs/buds: Twigs covered in hairs, gray to brown, soft; thick. Flower buds round and densely covered in brown hairs.

Flowers/fruit: Flowers perfect; creamy white (off white); 5-petaled, 1/2" to 3/4" in diameter, fragrant; in larger panicles (3" to 6" in length); occur from August to January. Fruit a pome (like an apple); yellow-orange, hairy; pear shaped to oblong, 1" to 2" in diameter; ripens between late March and June; edible.

Bark: Thin, easy to damage; not showy.

Wood: Unimportant; pinkish, hard, rather close-grained, medium to heavy; like pear wood it has been used in making rulers and instruments.

General: Native to Japan and China. Grown for its fruit in southern U.S./Europe and eastern Asia. Large shrub or small tree, 15' to 25' in height and width. Broad-topped and tough. Prefers full sun to partial shade.

Landscape Use: Sometimes planted in St. George area. Winter frosts can cause a lack of fruit. Nice foliage and flowers. Commonly cultivated. Zones 8-10.

Cultivars: 'Advance', 'Champagne', 'Coppertone', 'Golden Nugget', 'MacBeth', 'Thales', 'Variegata'.

Characteristics