Promising Plants Profiles

Mespilus germanica

Genus: Mespilus
Specific Epithet: germanica
Common Name: medlar
Family: Rosaceae

Flower Color: white or pinkish white
Form: small deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 5
Height: 20'
Width: 20'
Soil: moist but well-drained soil*
Sun: full sun

Uses: culinary**, ornamental
Parts Used: fruit

"The medlar is a small deciduous tree from Europe and Asia Minor, one not often grown in home gardens but one that should be used more in the landscape. The tree can reach 20 feet high and wide over time. The fruits are 1 to 2 inches in diameter and when ripe make a lovely conserve. Traditionally, medlars are eaten when "bletted," which means when over-ripe. This is a tree of the poets, one quoted by Shakespeare in As You Like It and Romeo and Juliet. Mercutio states: "If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark. Now will he sit under a medlar tree, And wish his mistress were that kind of fruit ..." (Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene I). It is easy to see that the medlar is in the Rosaceae family when you look at the fruit. Medlars can be grown from seed or grafted or budded on to pear, quince or hawthorn." – Dorothy Bonitz, Promising Plants Presentation, 2005

* "Medlar dislikes cold damp conditions and in areas with cold winters and moisture-retentive soil is best grafted on to quince rootstock." – Deni Bown

** Although the fruit is edible, medlar is not considered GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe). In addition, like many members of the Rosaceae family, the seeds contain hydrocyanic acid (prussic acid) and may be toxic if eaten.

Plant Source: Edible Landscaping - Afton, VA

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