Pollinator plant

Japanese Quince

Chaenomeles japonica

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Common names

35 names · 21 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Flowering quince[4]
  • Japanese Flowering Quince[4]
  • Japanese Quince[1][2][3]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Maule's quince[2]
Other languages (20)
Dutch
  • Dwergkwee
  • Dwergkweepeer
  • Japanse dwergkwee. Japanse sierkwee
+2 more namesShow fewer names
  • Japanse kweepeer
  • Japanse sierkwee[1][3]
French
Belarusian
  • Хенамелес японскі, ці Айва японская[3]
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 日本木瓜[3]
  • 日本海棠[3]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 倭海棠[3]
  • 日本木瓜[3]
Czech
  • kdoulovec japonský[3]
Danish
  • lille japankvæde[3]
Estonian
  • jaapani ebaküdoonia[3]
  • madal ebaküdoonia[3]
  • näsaline ebaküdoonia[3]
Finnish
  • japaninruusukvitteni[3]
German
  • Japanische Quitte[1][3]
  • Japanische Zierquitte[2]
Hungarian
  • Valódi japánbirs[3]
Japanese
  • クサボケ[3]
Lithuanian
  • Japoninis svarainis[3]
Norwegian
  • småildkvede[3]
Polish
  • Pigwowiec japoński[3]
Russian
  • Айва японская[3]
  • Айвочка японская[3]
Slovak
  • dulovec japonský[3]
Swedish
  • liten rosenkvitten[3]
Turkish
  • Japon Ayvası[3]
Ukrainian
  • Айва японська[3]
  • Японська айва звичайна[3]
Sources & name notes (4)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Chaenomeles japonica — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Japanese Quince — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • Cognassier du Japon — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • Japanische Quitte — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • Japanse sierkwee — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
[2] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Chaenomeles japonica ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Japanese Quince (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 171835; taxon 69MTX.
  • Maule's quince — VernacularName.tsv, line 171837; taxon 69MTX.
  • Japanische Zierquitte (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 171836; taxon 69MTX.
[3] Chaenomeles japonica — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Japanese Quince — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • Cognassier du Japon — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • Japanische Quitte — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • Japanse sierkwee — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • クサボケ — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • kdoulovec japonský — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • småildkvede — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • Japoninis svarainis — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • Айва японская — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • japaninruusukvitteni — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • liten rosenkvitten — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • Pigwowiec japoński — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • 日本木瓜 — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • jaapani ebaküdoonia — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • näsaline ebaküdoonia — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • madal ebaküdoonia — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • Хенамелес японскі, ці Айва японская — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • 倭海棠 — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • Айва японська — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • lille japankvæde — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • Japon Ayvası — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • Valódi japánbirs — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • 日本木瓜 — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • dulovec japonský — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • Айвочка японская — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • 日本海棠 — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • Японська айва звичайна — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 61236; Chaenomeles japonica.
[4] Chaenomeles japonica — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Flowering quince — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Chaenomeles japonica.
  • Japanese Flowering Quince — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Chaenomeles japonica.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Chaenomeles japonica is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Rosaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
0.61–0.91 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.91–1.83 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Open; Spreading

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Medium

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist; Occasionally Dry; Occasionally Wet; Very Dry

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Chaenomeles species in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

Genus-level guidance, not a rating for this individual species or a particular cultivar. RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3] [4]
Native range
SC. Korea, Japan (Honshu, Kyushu).

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [5]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

High suitability
Nectar value High
Pollen value High
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Shrub
Size
Small
Dimensions
1.00 m high × 2.00 m wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Foliage
Deciduous

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
5-8
Moisture
Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Shade, Partial shade, Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Fruit
Functions
Ground cover
Edibility
3 out of 5
Medicinal value
0 out of 5

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. It is very hard and sour in its raw state, but when cooked, it becomes fragrant and gives a strong and pleasant flavor to jams and jellies. It is especially tasty when cooked with apples in apple pies. The apple-shaped fruit is about 4 cm in diameter. The rich and aromatic juice, which is as sharp as a lemon, can be pressed and used in the kitchen.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Chaenomeles japonica — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 2021613; ID 69MTX; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 2021613; ID 69MTX; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Chaenomeles japonica — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Plants Of The World

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 2, column 1, entry Chaenomeles species (top 562 pt)

    Source checked on .

  4. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 2, column 1, entry Chaenomeles species (top 502 pt)

    Source checked on .

  5. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Chaenomeles japonica — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 840058; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 1514776, 1514777

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.