Medlar
Medlar
Medlar (Mespilus germanica) is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae, native to southwest Asia and southeastern Europe. The fruit of this plant, also called medlar, is a pome that has been cultivated since Roman times.
Pronunciation
Medlar is pronounced as /ˈmɛdlər/.
Etymology
The term "medlar" is derived from the Latin mespilus, which was borrowed from Greek mespilon, a name for some fruit tree.
Description
Medlar is a large deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 8 m (26 ft) tall. The leaves are dark green and elliptical. The flowers are white or pink, and the fruit is a distinctive brown pome.
Cultivation
Medlar trees are typically grown for their fruit, which is small, round, and brownish. The fruit is edible only when 'bletted' (softened by frost and subsequent decay). They are typically eaten cooked and are also used to make medlar jelly and wine.
Related Terms
- Pome: A type of fruit produced by flowering plants.
- Deciduous: A term referring to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally.
- Bletting: A process certain fruits undergo, becoming edible as they decay.
See Also
- Rosaceae: The rose family, a medium-sized family of flowering plants.
- Mespilus germanica: The scientific name for the medlar tree.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Medlar
- Wikipedia's article - Medlar
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