72. Mùguā or Chinese Quince

Specimen Size: 32.7ft tall, 12.4in in diameter.

Location: Heron Haven, at the Northeast corner of the medicinal garden near the open grassy patch in the woods.

Historical Background: The Rosaceae family includes an unbelievable plethora of common edible species; apples, plums, peaches, apricots, pears, almonds, cherries, loquats, hawthorns, blackberry, raspberry. The list goes on and on. The Chinese Quince (pronounced kwins) is another of the edible members of this marvelous family and is widely cultivated particularly in Asia. Called mùguā (木瓜) in its native China, the aromatic golden fruit of this species has a taste somewhat like that of an apple, slightly sour and bitter, and addition of this fruit to other dishes is often a prerequisite of enjoying it as form of sustenance. The fruit is also reported to become less hard and astringent following a period of frost, and seeds need to be removed prior to consumption, as they are very hard and not digestible. In spite of its less than succulent flavor, Quince fruits are very healthy, with high levels of vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.

Due to its lovely bark and flowers (which can appear on and off throughout summer), the species is also cultivated as a landscape tree in many places! In Latin, cydonia refers to an apple, specifically one from Cydon on the island of Crete, and the Common Quince bears this as its genus name. Our specimen belongs to the genus Pseudocydonia, but is a close relative of the western variety. Pseudocydonia sinensis may be distinguished from this Mediterranean cousin by its serrated leaves and lack of thorns. Another species, Chaenomeles speciosa, is also commonly referred to as the Chinese Quince, and bears similar traits.

Non-native

Native Range: Mùguā is native to China, but also widely cultivated in Japan and Korea. It exhibits a wide range of tolerance, thriving through cold winters and hot summers, drought, and a variety of soil types.

Identifying Features: The Mùguā is a small tree, with a bright green crown bearing a cuplike appearance. Its leaves are deciduous, with an oval shape and toothed edges. The trunk of this species is striking, smooth and green when young but maturing into mottled patterns of green and gray as a result of the bark flaking off in small puzzle-piece sized chunks. Spring flowers are small, and off a pink color with 5 petals. The edible fruit of Mùguā is reminiscent of that of an apple or pear, smooth, with a small tuft at the base and attached via a small stalk to the branch. 

Identifying Features In Depth:

1. Form: A spreading tree with a dense and twiggy crown, generally growing to heights between 15-20ft (4.5-6m), with a nearly equal canopy girth. The largest specimens have been known to reach over 40ft (12.2m), and The crown often takes on the appearance of an upside down cup.

2. Leaves: Leaves of this tree are alternately arranged on the branches, with serrated margins and bright green color. They are deciduous, turning yellow-red in fall, and reemerge in spring from small glabrous buds with 3 scales each. These leaves are generally about 2.5-4.5in  long (6.3-11.5cm) and 1.5-2.5in (3.8-6.3cm) wide, with pinnate venation and a simple shape.

3. Bark: The bark of the Mùguā is a distinctive identification feature. While on young trees the bark is smooth and green, but with age it begins to exfoliate, creating an enchanting patchwork of greens and grays of various shades. The trunk is gently fluted at the base, creating a graceful shape for this wooden tapestry.

4. Reproductive Bodies: Pinkish red flowers with 5 petals appear in mid-spring and give rise to the edible fruit of the Chinese Quince, which matures in mid-fall. These fruits often achieve a length of between 5-7in (12.7-17.7cm), and are of an ovular shape with a fragrant scent and greenish-yellow color. They are a type of pome, a fruit with a hard core and many seeds (like apples).