Plant Details

Mespilus germanica

Medlar

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Mespilus germanica.

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General Information

Scientific name: Mespilus germanica
Also known as: Medlar

Plant Properties

Layer: Fruit tree
Size: Small
Height: 6.00 m
Width: 6.00 m
Growth Rate: Moderate
Leaf: Deciduous

Growth conditions

USDA Hardiness: 5-8
Soil Moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun

Usage properties

Edible part:
Fruit
Edibility:
(4)
Medicinal:
(1)
Features:
Wood

Description

Fruit - raw or cooked. In cooler areas such as Great Britain, the fruit may not fully ripen but can still be harvested in late autumn, preferably after a bit of frost. Before it can be eaten raw, the fruit must first ripen. This can be done by placing the fruits together, with the stem facing up, in a cool place until they are almost rotten, a process known as bletting. At this point, the white flesh turns brown, becomes very soft, and extremely sweet with a delicious flavor similar to exotic fruit. The fruits of wild varieties are usually up to 25 mm in diameter, although some cultivated varieties can be 65 mm or more.

Harvest Data

Start Harvest: 01/10
End of Harvest: 30/11

Crown Data

Crown Type: Broad pyramidal
Crown Density: Dense crown