Cydonia oblonga Mill.

Spice Detail flower Flower Fruit In the university

Family: ROSACEAE

Genus: Cydonia

Catalan common name: Codonyer.

Spanish common name: Membrillero. Membrillo.

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Ibiza.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Asia

Uses and properties: Edible or foodstuffs.

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Macrophanerophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated species.

Description: A bush or small tree reaching 6-7m in height, with irregular, gnarled branches, the youngest ones covered in a sort of yellowish wool. The leaves are 5-10cm long, ovate or rounded, entire, green and glabrous on the upper side and very hairy, whitish-grey on the under side. The arrangement of these is alternate. The large, solitary, white or pink flowers are clearly visible. The fruit is pear-shaped or round, yellow when ripe, very aromatic, hard, with an acid taste, whitish-yellow at first.

Observations: The fruits are well appreciated to eat grilled, like apples, or to make the famous, sweet ?quince jelly? with sugar. Until recently, there was a custom to keep the fruits among clothes to give them a pleasant smell.