Mespilus germanica

Tree

HomeTreeMespilus germanica

Woods and hedgerows.

Family: Rosaceae
Height: 6 m / 20 ft
Sun, Semi-shade
Light, Medium and Heavy Soil
Moist

Plant Rating

Edible Uses: 4 of 5
Medicinal Uses: 1 of 5
Other Uses: 1 of 5

Native Habitat

Medlar Mespilus germanica native habitat is Woods and hedgerows.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit does not always ripen fully in cooler temperate zones such as Britain. However it can be harvested in late autumn (preferably after it has had some frost) whilst still hard and then needs to be bletted before it can be eaten raw. This entails storing it, stalk end upwards, in a cool place for a short while until it is on the point of (but not quite) rotting, a state described as incipient decay. At this stage the flesh turns from white to brown, becomes very soft and is quite sweet with an absolutely delicious flavour that somewhat resembles a luscious tropical fruit. The fruit of the wild species is up to 25mm in diameter, though some cultivars can be 65mm or more in diameter.