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Chaenomeles cathayensis - (Hemsl.)Schneid.

Common Name Chinese Quince
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Scrub and hedges in W. Hubei[184]. Slopes, forest margins and roadsides at elevations of 900 - 2500 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - China.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Chaenomeles cathayensis Chinese Quince


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chaenomeles_cathayensis1SHSU.jpg
Chaenomeles cathayensis Chinese Quince

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Chaenomeles cathayensis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

C. laganaria cathayensis. Cydonia cathayensis. Hemsl.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - very harsh raw but fragrant when cooked[1, 3, 4, 11, 177]. It makes an excellent jelly[183] and a very good jam, it is especially good cooked with apples in apple pies[K]. The fruit is very large and can be 15cm long and 9cm wide[200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiemetic  Antirheumatic  Antispasmodic  Digestive

The fruit is antiemetic, antirheumatic, antispasmodic and digestive[176]. It is used in the treatment of rheumatic pain, convulsions of the calf muscles, vomiting, dyspepsia and diarrhoea[176].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily cultivated in any reasonably good soil[1, 200]. Prefers a deep moist well-drained loam[4, 11]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates full shade but requires a sunny position for best fruit production[3, 11, 200]. Becomes chlorotic on very alkaline soils[188, 200]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[200]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is hardy to about -25°c[200]. Plants are subject to canker, especially when growing in the milder moister areas of Britain[49]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Fruits are usually freely produced in Britain, but they do not always ripen[11, 182]. The plant grows and fruits well on a south wall at Kew[K]. A good bee plant, flowering early in the year and providing pollen and nectar[108]. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is branching: a heart root, dividing from the crown into several primary roots going down and out [2-1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sheltered position outdoors or in a cold frame[200]. Sow stored seed in February in a greenhouse[78]. Germination usually takes place within 6 weeks[78]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. If well grown, these seedling can be large enough to plant out in the summer, but give them some protection in their first winter. Otherwise plant them out in late spring of the following year[K]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[11]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, November in a cold frame. Layering in late spring or in autumn. This is a sure and easy method, though it takes 12 months[78, 200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Chinsaw-ga, Mawau,

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Asia, Australia, China*, Indochina, Myanmar, SE Asia,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Chaenomeles japonicaDwarf Quince, Maule's quince, Japanese Flowering QuinceShrub1.0 5-8 MLMHFSNM303
Chaenomeles speciosaJapanese Quince, Flowering quinceShrub3.0 4-8 MLMHFSNM323
Chaenomeles x californicaCalifornia QuinceShrub1.8 4-8 MLMHSNM312
Chaenomeles x superbaDwarf Quince, Flowering QuinceShrub1.0 5-8 FLMHFSNM303

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Hemsl.)Schneid.

Botanical References

11200266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Oct 31 2015 12:00AM

Wonderful plant, big fruit that makes excellent drinks and jams. Beautiful flowers and very easy to grow (from seed).

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Subject : Chaenomeles cathayensis  
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