Pseudocydonia

Pseudocydonia
Pseudocydonia sinensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Rosaceae
Subfamily:	Amygdaloideae
Tribe:	Maleae
Subtribe:	Malinae
Genus:	Pseudocydonia C.K.Schneid.
Species:	P. sinensis
Binomial name
Pseudocydonia sinensis C.K.Schneid.
Synonyms[1]
Chaenomeles sinensis (Thouin) Koehne Cydonia sinensis Thouin Pyrus cathayensis Hemsl. Pyrus sinensis (Thouin) Spreng.

Pseudocydonia sinensis or Chinese quince (Chinese: mùguā) is a deciduous or semi-evergreen tree in the family Rosaceae, native to southern and eastern China. It is the sole species in the genus Pseudocydonia.^[1] Its hard, astringent fruit is used in traditional Chinese medicine^[2] and as a food in East Asia. Trees are generally 10–18 metres (33–59 ft) tall.

The tree is closely related to the east Asian genus Chaenomeles, and is sometimes placed as Chaenomeles sinensis,^[3] but lacks thorns and has single, not clustered, flowers. Chinese quince is further distinguished from quince, Cydonia oblonga,^[4] by its serrated leaves and lack of fuzz.

Names[]

In China, both the tree and its fruit are called mùguā (木瓜), which also refers to papaya and the flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa). In Korea the tree is called mogwa-namu (모과나무) and the fruit mogwa (모과) (from mokgwa (목과; 木瓜), the Korean reading of the Chinese characters). In Japan, both tree and fruit are called karin (花梨; rarely 榠樝) except in medicine where the fruit is called wa-mokka (和木瓜) from the Chinese and Korean names.^{[5][circular reference]}

Characteristics[]

Trees grow to 10–18 m tall, with a dense, twiggy crown. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, 6–12 cm long and 3–6 cm broad, and with serrated margin. The flowers are 2.5–4 cm diameter, with five pale pink petals; flowering is in mid spring. The fruit is a large ovoid pome 12–17 cm long with five carpels; it gives off an intense, sweet smell when it ripens in late autumn.^{[citation needed]}

Uses[]

The fruit is hard and astringent, though it softens and becomes less astringent after a period of frost. It can be used to make jam, much like quince. In Korea, the fruit is used to make mogwa-cheong (preserved quince) and mogwa-cha (quince tea).^{[citation needed]}

The fruit is also used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis (or "damp bi syndrome").^[2] A 2007 pharmacological study suggests extracts of phytochemicals in the fruit have antioxidant and antiviral properties.^[6]

The wood is frequently used in Japan for making low-end shamisen.^{[citation needed]}

Chinese quince is also grown as an ornamental tree.^{[citation needed]} In Haeju, North Korea two Chinese Quinces planted in 1910 are national monuments, being probably the tallest of specimens in the country.^[7]

Gallery[]

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  Trunk detail

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  Leaf detail

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  Autumn leaves

See also[]

• Flowering quinces, genus Chaenomeles
• Quince (Cydonia oblonga)
• Chaenomeles speciosa, also called Chinese quince or mugua
• Papaya (Carica papaya), also called mugua

References[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pseudocydonia sinensis.