Common Quince, Smyrna quince
Cydonia oblonga

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A spreading bushy tree. It grows up to 5-8 m high and spreads 3-6 m wide. It forks low down on the trunk into crooked limbs. The leaves are large, and deep green above and downy underneath. They occur on young twigs. It loses its leaves. The flowers can be 5 cm across and mostly pale pink. The fruit are pear shaped and 15 cm long with hard flesh. The fruit can be 1 kg in size. They are yellow when ripe. They are edible when cooked.

Where it is found

It grows in Mediterranean and temperate climates. It can grow in the highlands in the tropics. It is native to C. and S.W. Asia. It often grows on limestone. The tree is frost hardy. It will grow in many types of soil. It does best with a pH of 6-7. It can grow in a hot dry climate. A quince needs 100-400 hours of chilling. It suits hardiness zones 4-9. Hobart Botanical Gardens. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Bolivia, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Caucasus, Central Asia, Chile, China, Colombia, Crete, Cyprus, Czech Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Indochina, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Moldova, Morocco, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, SE Asia, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tunisia, Turkey (country/location of origin), Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Russian Federation - Ciscaucasia, Dagestan, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are usually cooked. They are good for jelly and preserves. They are made into pies, candy and jams. The seeds are dried and crushed then simmered for 5 minutes in water and sweetened to taste to make a drink. The seeds also yield a gum used as a stabiliser for ice cream. The leaves are used as wrappings for dolmas. The leaves are used for sarma in Turkey. They are rolled around a filling of rice or minced meat. The flowers can be eaten.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds - drink, flowers, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown easily from cuttings of 2 or 3 year old wood. They can also be grown from seed or by layering. Fresh seed can be used. If seed have been stored they will need 2-4 weeks of gentle warmth followed by 4 months of cold treatment before sowing. They can be grafted.

Trees are slow growing. Trees bear in 3-4 years. Trees can live for 50 years.

Its other names

Local names

Amritphala, Ayva, Bai dana, Bam-tsuntu, Bamsutu, Bihi, Coines, Coing, Cotogna, Cydonian apple, Duna, Ftoi, utui, Ftoin, Kaontsy, K'omshi, Marmelo, Marumero, Melo cotogno, Membrillo, Mocqua, Mu gua, Navadna kutina, Quitte, Shimaimathala, Simadanimma, Simedalimbe, Voamerika, Wen po

Synonyms

Cydonia vulgaris Pers.; Pyrus cydonia L.; and others