Common Name: Quince

General Information

Cydonia oblonga is an unarmed, deciduous tree with crowded branches and a low quaint habit; it can grow 5 - 7.5 metres tall[].
The quince has a long history of cultivation as a fruit crop, dating back at least to the early days of the Roman Empire, though it has never become a widely grown crop[, , , ]. It is also often used for medicinal purposes and is commonly used as a dwarfing rootstock for pears and some other fruits[].

Known Hazards

The seed contains 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

Europe - Mediterranean. An occasional garden escape in Britain[].

Habitat

Damp rich soils in hedgerows and thickets[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Cydonia oblonga is fairly cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to about -15°c when dormant[]. However, it prefers growing in areas with hot summers and the fruit will often not ripen properly in areas with cool summers[].
Succeeds in most soils but prefers a light moist fertile soil and a sunny position[, , ]. Dislikes very dry or waterlogged soils[]. Succeeds in semi-shade but does not fruit so well in such a position[]. Plants also tolerate quite deep shade[], though they will often not fruit at all in such a position[].
The quince has been cultivated for over two thousand years for its edible fruit and its seed, though it is not a widely grown crop[, , , ]. It is also much used as a dwarfing rootstock for pears and some other fruits[]. There are some named varieties[].
Plants require warm summers in order to fully ripen their fruit[]. The var. 'Maliformis' ripens well in cooler summers[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. When grown in warm temperate or tropical climates, the fruit can become soft and juicy and is suitable for eating raw[]. In cooler climates such as Britain, however, it remains hard and astringent and needs to be cooked before being eaten[]. It is used in jellies, preserves etc[, ]. The cooked fruit adds a delicious flavour to cooked apples[, , , ]. Strongly aromatic with a firm but rather gritty flesh[]. The fruit is rich in pectin[]. The fruit is about 10m long and 9cm wide, tapering to the stalk[]. A nutritional analysis is available[].

A drink can be made by adding the dried crushed seed to water, simmering for 5 minutes and sweetening to taste[].

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[].

Flowers[]. No further details are given.

Medicinal

The stem bark is astringent, it is used in the treatment of ulcers[].

The seed is a mild but reliable laxative, astringent and anti-inflammatory[]. When soaked in water, the seed swells up to form a mucilaginous mass. This has a soothing and demulcent action when taken internally or used as a gargle[, ], and is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases, especially in children[].
The mucilage is applied externally to treat minor burns, cracked skin and other skin problems[].
Trials have shown that the seed mucilage has a beneficial effect upon skin injuries, speeding up the regenerative effect. It also has an antiallergic effect and regenerative effect in the treatment of atopic eczema[].

The fruit is antivinous, astringent, cardiac, carminative, digestive, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, pectoral, peptic, refrigerant, restorative, stimulant and tonic[, , , ]. The unripe fruit is very astringent, a syrup made from it is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and is particularly safe for children[, ]. The fruits are often used in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of ailments, including disorders and diseases of the respiratory system, cough, bronchitis, fever, digestive disorders, vomiting and diarrhoea, for constipation and bloating, inflammation of the kidneys, urinary tract and bladder problems, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and others[].
The fruit, and its juice, can be used as a mouthwash or gargle to treat mouth ulcers, gum problems and sore throats[].

A leaf decoction has a hypolipidemic effect and has proved to be beneficial in the treatment of kidney disease caused by hypercholesterolemia[].
The leaves contain tannin and pectin[]. Tannin can be used as an astringent whilst pectin has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system and helps to reduce blood pressure[].

The plant, especially the fruit, is a good source of a range of medicinally active compounds that have antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects. Polyphenols are the largest and quantitatively the most important group of these phytochemicals[].

Other Uses

A mucilage obtained from the seed coat is used as a gum arabic substitute to add gloss to material[, ]. The seed contains 20% mucilage and 15% fatty oils[].

The aromatic fruit can be added to pot-pourri[].

The fruit is rich in pectin[]. Pectin is said to protect the body against radiation[].

The leaves contain 11% tannin[].

Propagation

Seed - probably best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[], it can also be sown in late winter[]. It requires stratification[], pre-chill the seed for 18 weeks if it is fresh, whilst old seed will require 2 weeks of warm stratification first and then 18 weeks cold treatment[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of mature wood, late autumn in a cold frame[, ].
Layering in spring. Takes 1 year[].
Suckers, removed in spring[].