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Chaenomeles japonica - (Thunb.)Lindl. ex Spach.

Common Name Dwarf Quince, Maule's quince, Japanese Flowering Quince
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness 5-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Woods in low mountains, C. and S. Japan[58].
Range E. Asia - Japan
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Chaenomeles japonica Dwarf Quince, Maule


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:4028mdk09
Chaenomeles japonica Dwarf Quince, Maule
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ChaenomelesFruit02floweringquince02.jpg

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Orange, Red. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Late winter, Mid spring. Form: Vase.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Chaenomeles japonica is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 2 m (6ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen from November to January. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

C. maulei. Cydonia japonica. Cydonia maulei. Pyrus japonica. non Sims. P. maulei.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 3, 4, 11, 177, 183]. Very harsh and acid raw but fragrant when cooked, imparting a strong pleasant flavour to jams and jellies[1, 200], it is especially good cooked with apples in apple pies[K]. The fruit is apple-shaped and about 4cm in diameter[200]. The rich aromatic juice, as tart as a lemon, is squeezed and used for culinary purposes[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Plants sucker freely and can be used as a ground cover. The form C. japonica alpina grows to about half the size of the species, it is especially suitable and can be planted about 1 metre apart each way[208].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Hedge, Massing, Woodland garden. Easily cultivated in any reasonably good soil[1]. Prefers a deep moist well-drained loam[4, 11]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates full shade but requires a sunny position for best fruit production[3, 11, 200]. Becomes chlorotic on very alkaline soils[200]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[200]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is hardy to about -25°c[200] and fruits freely in Britain[11]. Plants are occasionally cultivated for their edible fruit[183]. This species is closely allied to C. speciosa[11]. A good bee plant, flowering early in the year and providing pollen and nectar[108]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Special Features:Not North American native, Attractive flowers or blooms. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is branching: a heart root, dividing from the crown into several primary roots going down and out [2-1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sheltered position outdoors or in a cold frame[200]. Sow stored seed in February in a greenhouse[78]. Germination usually takes place within 6 weeks[78]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. If well grown, these seedling can be large enough to plant out in the summer, but give them some protection in their first winter. Otherwise plant them out in late spring of the following year[K]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[11]. Easy[113]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, November in a cold frame. Layering in late spring or in autumn. This is a sure and easy method, though it takes 12 months[78, 200]. Division of suckers in late winter[113]. They can be planted out straight into their permanent positions.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Asia, Australia, Britain, China*, Europe, Japan*, Tasmania,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Chaenomeles cathayensisChinese QuinceShrub3.0 4-8  LMHSNM420
Chaenomeles speciosaJapanese Quince, Flowering quinceShrub3.0 4-8 MLMHFSNM323
Chaenomeles x californicaCalifornia QuinceShrub1.8 4-8 MLMHSNM312
Chaenomeles x superbaDwarf Quince, Flowering QuinceShrub1.0 5-8 FLMHFSNM303

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Thunb.)Lindl. ex Spach.

Botanical References

1158200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Fri May 16 16:18:32 2003

"Cido" is a cultivar of Chaenomeles japonica, it is grown especially for its fruits.

Denis   Tue Nov 4 2008

Very high vitamin C content. Fruits can be preserved by cutting in slim pieces, taking away seeds, mixing with sugar and putting in refrigirator. This yields a great thing to use for tea. Helps against flue and coughing. It looks like it contains some antidepressant.

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