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Cydonia oblonga - Mill.

Quince

Author	Mill.	Botanical references	11, 50, 200
Family	Rosaceae	Genus	Cydonia
Synonyms	Cydonia vulgaris - Pers. Pyrus cydonia - L.
Known Hazards	The seed is poisonous[200]. Like many of the species in the family Rosaceae it contains hydrogen cyanide (this is the substance that gives almonds their characteristic flavour). In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.
Range	Europe - Mediterranean. An occasional garden escape in Britain[17].
Habitat	Damp rich soils in hedgerows and thickets[50, 254].
Edibility Rating	3 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	2 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

A decidious Tree growing to 7.5m by 7m at a medium rate.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Secondary; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Cultivars: (as above except)
'Bereczcki'
'Champion'
'Maliformis'
'Meech's Prolific'
'Quince A'

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers; Fruit.

Edible Uses: Drink; Pectin.

Fruit - raw or cooked[4]. When grown in warm temperate or tropical climates, the fruit can become soft and juicy and is suitable for eating raw[4]. In cooler climates such as Britain, however, it remains hard and astringent and needs to be cooked before being eaten[4]. It is used in jellies, preserves etc[9, 183]. The cooked fruit adds a delicious flavour to cooked apples[3, 37, 46, 61]. Strongly aromatic with a firm but rather gritty flesh[200]. The fruit is rich in pectin[200]. The fruit is about 10m long and 9cm wide, tapering to the stalk[200]. A nutritional analysis is available[218]. A drink can be made by adding the dried crushed seed to water, simmering for 5 minutes and sweetening to taste[183]. Flowers[183]. No further details are given.

Composition

Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.

Fruit (Dry weight)

• 355 Calories per 100g
• Water: 0%
• Protein: 2.7g; Fat: 1.2g; Carbohydrate: 94g; Fibre: 14g; Ash: 2.5g;
• Minerals - Calcium: 55mg; Phosphorus: 95mg; Iron: 4.3mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 25mg; Potassium: 1216mg; Zinc: 0mg;
• Vitamins - A: 130mg; Thiamine (B1): 0.15mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0.18mg; Niacin: 1.8mg; B6: 0mg; C: 95mg;
• Reference: [218]
• Notes: The figures given here are the median of a range given in the report.

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Antiinflammatory; Antivinous; Astringent; Cardiac; Carminative; Demulcent; Digestive; Diuretic; Emollient; Expectorant; Hypotensive; Laxative; Pectoral; Refrigerant; Restorative; Stimulant; Tonic.

The stem bark is astringent, it is used in the treatment of ulcers[218]. The seed is a mild but reliable laxative, astringent and anti-inflammatory[9]. When soaked in water, the seed swells up to form a mucilaginous mass. This has a soothing and demulcent action when taken internally[4] and is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases, especially in children[240]. This mucilage is also applied externally to minor burns etc[9]. The fruit is antivinous, astringent, cardiac, carminative, digestive, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, pectoral, peptic, refrigerant, restorative, stimulant and tonic[4, 9, 46, 218]. The unripe fruit is very astringent, a syrup made from it is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and is particularly safe for children[4, 254]. The fruit, and its juice, can be used as a mouthwash or gargle to treat mouth ulcers, gum problems and sore throats[254]. The leaves contain tannin and pectin[240]. Tannin can be used as an astringent whilst pectin has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system and helps to reduce blood pressure[K].

Other Uses

Gum; Pectin; Rootstock; Size.

A mucilage obtained from the seed coat is used as a gum arabic substitute to add gloss to material[61, 74]. The seed contains 20% mucilage and 15% fatty oils[74]. The fruit is rich in pectin[200]. Pectin is said to protect the body against radiation[201]. The leaves contain 11% tannin[240].

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils but prefers a light moist fertile soil and a sunny position[3, 37, 200]. Dislikes very dry or waterlogged soils[202]. Succeeds in semi-shade but does not fruit so well in such a position[202]. Plants also tolerate quite deep shade[219], though they will often not fruit at all in such a position[K]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[202], though the fruit seldom ripens in the north of Britain unless it is grown against a sunny wall[4]. The quince has been cultivated for over two thousand years for its edible fruit and its seed, though it is not a widely grown crop[4, 46, 61, 132]. It is also much used as a dwarfing rootstock for pears and some other fruits[200]. There are some named varieties[200]. Plants require warm summers in order to fully ripen their fruit[200]. The var. 'Maliformis' ripens well in cooler summers[200].

Propagation

Seed - probably best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[K], it can also be sown in February[78]. It requires stratification[98], pre-chill the seed for 18 weeks if it is fresh, whilst old seed will require 2 weeks of warm stratification first and then 18 weeks cold treatment[164]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of mature wood, November in a cold frame[3, 37]. Layering in spring. Takes 1 year[78]. Suckers, removed in spring[200].

Cultivars

'Bereczcki'

The very large, pear-shaped fruit is golden-yellow in colour[183]. The quality is very good, tender when cooked[183]. A very vigorous, heavy yielding tree, it comes into bearing when still young[183].

'Champion'

A very large fruit weighing up to 700 grammes, it is intermediate in shape between an apple and a pear[183]. The skin is greenish-yelow, the yellow flesh is almost as tender as an apple and only slightly astringent[183]. It ripens in mid-season and keeps well[183]. A vigorous, very productive tree that bears at an early age[183]. It will often not mature its crop in areas with a short growing season[183].

'Maliformis'

This cultivar ripens well in cooler summers[200].

'Meech's Prolific'

The large, pear-shaped fruit can weigh up to 500 grammes[183]. The bright yellow skin is very fine-textured, the fruit is exceedingly fragrant and of excellent flavour, it ripens about two weeks earlier than 'Champion'[183]. A slow-growing, heavy and regular bearing tree, often producing its first crop when only 3 years old[183].

'Orange'

The almost round fruit is large to very large, the skin is bright golden-yellow in colour, the flesh is very tender, orange-yellow when raw but turning red when cooked[183]. The quality is very good in areas with cool summers, inferior where summer temperatures are high[183]. This is the leading quince cultivar in the USA[183].

'Quince A'

'Smyrna'

The fruit is large, round to oblong in shape, the skin is lemon-yellow, the flesh tender, mild, good to very good in quality[183]. It ripens at the same time as 'Orange', but keeps much better[183]. A rapid and vigorous growing tree with unusually large leaves[183].

'Van Deman'

The large, oblong to pear-shaped fruit has a pale orange skin, the flesh is pale yellow and moderately coarse with a pleasantly spicy flavour - it retains a good flavour after cooking[183]. Ripens in September[183]. A high yielding tree, it is considered to be one of the hardiest cultivars[183].

Links

This plant is also mentioned in the following PFAF articles: Edible Shrubs, The Woodland Edge Garden.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[3] Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7
A very readable book with information on about 100 species that can be grown in Britain (some in greenhouses) and details on how to grow and use them.

[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[9] Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[17] Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[37] Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878
Excellent general but extensive guide to gardening practices in the 19th century. A very good section on fruits and vegetables with many little known species.

[46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.

[50] ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964
An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[74] Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers.

[78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[98] Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. 0
Very comprehensive guide to growing trees and shrubs from seed. Not for the casual reader.

[132] Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. 0
Lovely pictures, a very readable book.

[164] Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2
A well produced and very readable book.

[202] Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990 ISBN 0-670-82929-3
Contains information on 2,000 species and cultivars, giving details of cultivation requirements. The text is terse but informative.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[219] Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983 ISBN 0-00-219220-0
A nice little book about plants for growing against walls and a small section on plants that can grow in walls.

[240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Cydonia oblonga

Adriana Jalba, plant biologist Sun Dec 10 2006

I have a comment concerning the content of cyanide in the seeds. Like all the memebers of the Subfamily Prunoideae from the Rosaceae family, the seeds have a high content of cyanide, which is not at all dangerous because is chemical bounded to a sugar molecule, which is a very very stable chemical bound. Not even the low pH from the human stomach can not release the cyanide. In conclusion, is not dangerous.

Cydonia oblonga

Ken Fern, Plants for a Future. Sun Dec 17 2006

Trawling the web, there are conflicting reports on the toxicity of this and other plants in the Rose family. Whilst some people claim that the cyanide is not absorbed by the body, but passes straight through, there are plenty of other reports of people being poisoned by eating the seeds of various members of this family. I myself remember a case a few years ago in Britain where a person dies after eating a whole cup of ground up apple seeds. Personally, I am happy to eat a few seeds, since small quantities of the cyanide found in these plants is beneficial to health, especially in the case of respiratory problems. However, I would not risk eating larger quantities without more scientific proof of their safety.

Cydonia oblonga

Renjith R Thu Apr 26 2007

International Medicinal Plan Growers Consortium

Cydonia oblonga

Alicia Aviles Fri Mar 14 2008

quiero saber si conocen trabajos de identificacion varietal por métodos moleculares en este género en particular con técnicas de pcr Yo comence a diferenciar variedades de Cydonia de coleccion INTA en Argentina provincia de Catamarca pero no conclui mi trabajo con técnica de RAPDs y obtencion de patrones moleculares

Cydonia oblonga

Lynn Davis Sat Sep 20 2008

I have discovered a quince bush in my "new" front yard. It has little quinces on it. Are these fruits just miniature versions of the large variety. Are they just as edible? They look identical, and their odor is somewhat citrus-y. L. Davis, Topeka, KS

Cydonia oblonga

david n Sun Sep 21 2008

From what I can gather (from books) ripe quinces are at least the size of a large apple when ripe. If it's still green and not yellow it's not ripe. I suppose unfavourable growing conditions like little water might produce undersized ripe fruit, but have no reports of this.

Cydonia oblonga

John S Sun Oct 11 2009

Lynn Davis-you probably have Japanese flowering quince, chaenomeles Japonica. You can cut them up and rest them in water. They make "lemonade" John s PDX OR

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