Pseudocydonia
{{Short description|Genus of trees}}
{{distinguish||text=Chaenomeles speciosa, also called Chinese quince or mugua}}
{{distinguish||text=Carica papaya, papaya, also called mugua}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Pseudocydonia 2.jpg
| image_caption = Pseudocydonia sinensis
| display_parents = 4
| genus = Pseudocydonia
| parent_authority = C.K.Schneid.
| species = sinensis
| authority = C.K.Schneid.
|synonyms =
- Chaenomeles sinensis (Thouin) Koehne
- Cydonia sinensis Thouin
- Pyrus cathayensis Hemsl.
- Pyrus sinensis (Thouin) Spreng.
|synonyms_ref = {{GRIN | accessdate = 29 December 2017}}
}}
Pseudocydonia sinensis or Chinese quince ({{zh|c=木瓜|p=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. Its hard, astringent fruit is used in traditional Chinese medicineLim, T. K. "Pseudocydonia sinensis." Edible Medicinal And Non-Medicinal Plants. Springer Netherlands, 2012. 515-522. and as a food in East Asia. Trees are generally {{Convert|10-18|m|ft|abbr=}} tall.
The tree is closely related to the east Asian genus Chaenomeles, and is sometimes placed as Chaenomeles sinensis,{{Cite web|url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200010697|title=Chaenomeles sinensis in Flora of China @ efloras.org|website=www.efloras.org}} but lacks thorns and has single, not clustered, flowers. Chinese quince is further distinguished from quince, Cydonia oblonga,{{cite journal|author1=Campbell, C.S. |author2=Evans, R.C. |author3=Morgan, D.R. |author4=Dickinson, T.A. |author5=Arsenault, M.P. |year=2007|title=Phylogeny of subtribe Pyrinae (formerly the Maloideae, Rosaceae): Limited resolution of a complex evolutionary history|journal=Plant Systematics and Evolution|volume=266|issue=1–2|pages=119–145|url=http://biology.umaine.edu/Amelanchier/Pyrinae_2007.pdf|doi=10.1007/s00606-007-0545-y|bibcode=2007PSyEv.266..119C |citeseerx=10.1.1.453.8954 |s2cid=13639534 }} by its serrated leaves and lack of fuzz.
Names
In China, both the tree and its fruit are called mùguā ({{lang|zh|木瓜}}), which also refers to papaya and the flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa). In Korea the tree is called mogwa-namu ({{lang|ko|모과나무}}) and the fruit mogwa ({{lang|ko|모과}}; from mokgwa ({{Korean|hangul=목과|hanja=木瓜}}), the Korean reading of the Chinese characters). In Japan, both tree and fruit are called karin ({{lang|ja|花梨}}; rarely {{lang|ja|榠樝}}) except in medicine where the fruit is called wa-mokka ({{lang|ja|和木瓜}}) from the Chinese and Korean names.:ja:カリン (バラ科){{Circular reference|date=April 2018}}
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.{{Cn|date=February 2021}}
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).{{Cn|date=February 2021}}
The fruit is also used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Chinese quince is also grown as an ornamental tree.{{Cn|date=February 2021}} In Haeju, North Korea two Chinese Quinces planted in 1910 are national monuments, being probably the tallest of specimens in the country.{{Cite web|title=Naenara Democratic People's Republic of Korea|url=http://naenara.com.kp/en/news/?8+417|access-date=2021-04-23|website=naenara.com.kp}}
Gallery
Image:Chaenomeles sinensis 3.JPG|
Image:A trunk of Chaenomeles sinensis Koehne PC120032.jpg|Trunk detail
Image:A leaf of Chaenomeles sinensis Koehne PC120027.jpg|Leaf detail
Image:Pseudocydonia sinensis-Zampach-01.jpg|Autumn leaves
See also
- Flowering quinces, genus Chaenomeles
- Quince (Cydonia oblonga)
References
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{{Commons}}
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{{Interwiki extra|qid=Q1334892}}
Category:Monotypic Rosaceae genera