Common Name: Chinese Quince

General Information

Chaenomeles cathayensis is a more or less thorny, sparsely-branched, deciduous shrub or a small tree with an open habit; it can grow 2 - 6 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for use as a food and a medicine. The fruits are traded, especially for medicinal use. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens.

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 - central and southern China, Bhutan, Myanmar

Habitat

Scrub and hedges[]. Slopes, forest margins and roadsides; at elevations from 900 - 2,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Chaenomeles cathayensis is a fairly cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c when dormant[]. Although it can fruit well in most regions of the temperate zone, it only fully ripens the fruit in areas with hot summers[, ].
Easily cultivated in any reasonably good soil[, ]. Prefers a deep moist well-drained loam[, ]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates full shade but requires a sunny position for best fruit production[, , ]. Becomes chlorotic on very alkaline soils[, ]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[].
A very ornamental plant[].
In areas with cool summers, the plant can be grown against a sunny wall, where it will fruit more heavily, ripen the fruit more fully and suffer less from disease. A plant growing against a south wall at Kew Gardens in London (hardiness zone 7 - 8) fruits well in most years[].
Plants are subject to canker, especially when growing in milder maritime regions[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - very harsh raw but fragrant when cooked[, , , , ]. It makes an excellent jelly[] and a very good jam, it is especially good cooked with apples in apple pies[]. The somewhat egg-shaped fruit is very large and can be up to 15cm long and 9cm wide[, ].

Medicinal

The fruit is antiemetic, antirheumatic, antispasmodic and digestive[]. It is used in the treatment of rheumatic pain, convulsions of the calf muscles, vomiting, dyspepsia and diarrhoea[].

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[]

Agroforestry Uses:

A good bee plant, flowering early in the year and providing pollen and nectar[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sheltered position outdoors or in a cold frame[]. Sow stored seed in late winter in a greenhouse[]. Germination usually takes place within 6 weeks[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. If well grown, these seedling can be large enough to plant out in the summer, but give them some protection in their first winter. Otherwise plant them out in late spring of the following year[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, late autumn in a cold frame.
Layering in late spring or in autumn. This is a sure and easy method, though it takes 12 months[, ].