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Pyrus bretschneideri - Rehder.

Common Name Chinese white pear
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Slopes, dry cold regions at elevations of 100 - 2000 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - N. China.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Pyrus bretschneideri Chinese white pear


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Roger_Zenner
Pyrus bretschneideri Chinese white pear
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fanghong

 

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Summary

Pyrus × bretschneideri (or Pyrus bretschneideri), the ya pear or Chinese white pear are juicy, white to light yellow pears shaped like the European pear (Pyrus communis) rather than the round Asian Nashi pears (P. pyrifolia) also grown in eastern Asia.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Pyrus bretschneideri is a deciduous Tree growing to 6 m (19ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
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 and can tolerate drought. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[177, 200]. The fruit is up to 3cm in diameter[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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a good well-drained loam in full sun[200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates light shade but does not fruit so well in such a position. Tolerates atmospheric pollution, excessive moisture and a range of soil types if they are moderately fertile[200]. Established plants are drought tolerant[200]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[200]. This species is closely related to P. ussuriensis ovoidea[200]. This species is commonly cultivated in northern China, preferring sunny, dry, loamy soils. It includes many important forms with excellent fruit[266]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a standard with a non-suckering single trunk [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn, it will then usually germinate in mid to late winter. Stored seed requires 8 - 10 weeks cold stratification at 1°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible[200]. Temperatures over 15 - 20°c induce a secondary dormancy in the seed[200]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for their first year. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Gansu Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Henan Sheng, Qinghai Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu,China.

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 :

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12

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Rehder.

Botanical References

200266

Links / References

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