Callery pear
Pyrus calleryana

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It grows 15 m high. It is a broad cone shape. The bark is dark grey and cracks into ridges. The bark is red-brown when it is freshly exposed. The leaves are narrowly oval and 7.5 cm long by 5 cm wide. The leaves are glossy and smooth. There are fine teeth along the edge. The leaves turn red-purple in autumn. The flowers are 1 cm across and on long stalks. They are white. The fruit are rounded or pear shaped and fleshy. They are 2 cm across. They are a rough brown and spotted with white.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to C. and S. China. It grows in thickets and by streams in mountains. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. Arboretum Tasmania. National Arboretum Canberra.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Indochina, Japan, Korea, SE Asia, Taiwan, Tasmania, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten after being exposed to frost. The flowers are soaked in water to remove the bitterness then stir fried, made into soup or used in salads.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers

How it is grown

In Yunnan fruit are eaten in August to October.

Its other names

Local names

Mame-nashi, Moc-cap, Si peng a si, Xialie

Synonyms

Pyrus kawakamii Hayata; Pyrus mairei H.L,v.;