We are using the name Chaenomeles sinensis for this species because it appears to be the most commonly accepted name, being used by the Flora of China[] amonst many others. However, there are also quite a few authors, including the GRIN database, that are still using Pseudocydonia sinensis (Dum.Cours.) C.K.Schneid., as the correct name[].

Common Name: Chinese Quince

General Information

Chaenomeles sinensis is an unarmed, deciduous to semi-evergreen, shrub or a small tree; it can grow 5 - 12 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for use as a food, medicine and source of materials - the fruits are sold in local markets. The plant is sometimes cultivated for its fruits and is also sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

Although no specific information has been seen, the seed is likely to contain cyanogenic glycosides. When injested, these compounds break down in the digestive tract to release cyanide. Used in small quantities in both traditional and conventional medicine, this exceedingly poisonous compound has been shown to stimulate respiration, improve digestion, and promote a sense of well-being[]. It is also claimed by some to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer - though this claim has been largely refuted.
In larger concentrations, however, cyanide can cause gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma and respiratory failure leading to death[].
The levels of toxin can be detected by the level of bitterness:- sweet almonds, for example, contain only very low levels of it and are safe to eat in quantity, whilst bitter almonds (which are used as a flavouring in foods such as marzipan) contain much higher levels and should only be eaten in very small quantities. Great caution should be employed if the taste is moderately to very bitter[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southern and eastern China.

Habitat

Found at elevations around 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Chaenomeles sinensis is a fairly cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -15°c when fully dormant[]. However, it requires a hot summer in order to ripen its shoots and fruit fully and so generally does not grow so well in Maritime climates (where it will often suffer damage at -5°c), preferring Mediterranean or Continental climates[].
Requires a sunny position[, ], succeeding in any reasonably good soil that is well-drained but not dry[, ].
When growing in areas with cool summers, the plant can be grown and fruited successfully against a sunny wall[, ]. A plant growing in a sheltered, sunny position on the south side of tree cover at Kew was 3.5 metres tall in spring 1995 and looked healthy[].
The plant is occasionally cultivated, especially in China[], for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties[].
Flowers are produced on year-old wood[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Very hard and acid raw but becoming fragrant when cooked[]. It is eaten as a sweetmeat, candied, preserved in syrup or made into preserves, juices and a liqueur[, , , ]. The juice can also be mixed with ginger and made into a beverage[]. The pale, citron-yellow, oval fruit can be 12 - 18cm long[, , ].
The fruit is rich in pectin and can be used with other fruits in order to thicken juices, improve fruit-set when making jam etc[].

The seed is covered with a layer of dried mucilage which can quickly absorb water and become sticky. It has been shown that this mucilage can be used as an alternative to plastics to make an edible film that can be used to cover and protect food items. The seeds are generally available in quantity as a by-product of the fruit being used for food and medicine[].

Medicinal

The fruit is antioxidant, antipruritic, antitussive, antiviral, diuretic and hypoglycaemic[, , ]. It is used in Korea to treat conditions such as asthma, the common cold, sore throats, diarrhoea, inflammatory diseases, mastitis and tuberculosis[, , ].
The fruit contains several medically active constituents including organic acids, triterpenoids, polyphenols plus the flavonoids rutin and quercetin[].

The seed is coated with a mucilaginous substance. When soaked in water this swells up and can be used medicinally. Taken internally, it soothes the membranes of the digestive and respiratory tracts, helping to ease coughing, reduce inflammation, irritation etc. Applied externally, it can soothe a range of skin problems including mild burns, eczema[].

Mugua is a Chinese traditional medicine derived from the fruits of Chaenomeles species. Whilst Chaenomeles speciosa is the species most commonly mentioned in the literature for its medicinal properties, in practice the fruits of all species in the genus are used interchangeably. Modern research has supported this and, indeed, shown that some of the other species actually have higher antioxidant value[].
The fruit is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antispasmodic, astringent, digestive and hypoglycaemic[, , ]. A decoction is used internally in the treatment of a wide range of conditions, including nausea, joint pains, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis, asthma, common cold, cholera and associated cramps[, , , ].
The fruit contains polyphenols, flavonoids, triterpenes and proanthocyanidins which have been shown to have a strong antioxidant activity[]. Antioxidant compounds such as these have been shown to protect against
cardiovascular diseases and also exhibit anti-tumour, antimicrobial, anti-adhesive, and anti-inflammatory effects[]

Other Uses

The fruits are very aromatic and are placed in a bowl to impart a delightful spicy scent to a room[].

The dark red wood is hard. It is used for picture frames[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn[]. Stored seed requires 3 months cold stratification and should be sown as early in the year as possible[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Layering.