Rose family, Rosaceae
Origin: the Mediterranean, Central Asia
Habitat in the original area: since the Middle Ages, it has been cultivated for fruits and decoration; it spreads out in warm areas
Habitus: It is a shrub or tree growing up to the height of 6 metres. Young branches are tomentose.
List: The leaves grow alternately on the branches, and they have a broadly ovate blade with a tip. They are dark green on the upper side, and lighter and tomentose on the underside.
Bloom, fruit: It blooms from May to June with white to pinkish blossoms. The fruit is a tomentose greenish-yellow berry (quince), which has a shape similar to an apple.
Interesting fact: The fruits are edible. But when raw, they taste bitter-sweet and sour and are very hard. Jams or liqueurs are made from them. They have also been used medicinally since ancient times – the mucilage from the seeds can be used to soothe skin burns or to calm coughs.
