The taxonomy of this species is very confusing. We are using Pyrus communis to refer to the wild pear and, since there are no significant differences in the way they are used, we are treating all the wild subspecies under this heading. The cultivated pear, widely grown as a fruit crop, is treated under Pyrus communis sativa (DC.) DC.[].
In spite of their wide geographic distribution, the various species in the genus Pyrus are intercrossable without major incompatibility barriers. Also, the high morphological diversity and the lack of distinguishing characters among the species have been reported. Therefore, the classification of species in this genus is problematic and often confusing, giving different populations designated as different species by some authors. It is likely that, when the genus is reviewed, there will be several changes to the nomenclature[].

Common Name: Wild Pear

General Information

Pyrus communis is a deciduous tree with a broad, oval crown or occasionally a shrub; it can range in height from 5 - 30 metres tall. A very variable plant in all its characters; including the size and shape of the crown; the presence or absence of spines; the shape of the leaves; the degree of pubescence, etc; but especially in the size, shape, and taste of the fruit[, ]. The plants often sucker freely, and can form dense thickets[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is sometimes sold in local markets. The wood is an excellent timber, valued by cabinet makers, but generally only available in small quantities.

Known Hazards

Although no specific information has been seen for this plant, the seed of many species in the family Rosaceae are 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

Eurasia - Estonia to Spain, east through Ukraine to Kyrgyzstan, through Greece to Turkey and the Caucasus

Habitat

Hedges, woodland margins etc in Britain[]. Deciduous, sometimes coniferous, forests and shrub thickets, growing in deep soils and sometimes forming pure stands; at elevations up to 2,000 metres in the Caucasus[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	13.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Pyrus communis is a very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to below -20°c when dormant[].
Prefers a good well-drained loam in full sun[, ]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates light shade but does not fruit so well in such a position. Tolerates atmospheric pollution, excessive moisture and a range of soil types, if they are moderately fertile[], avoiding only the most acid soils[]. Dislikes very exposed positions[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
This species includes both the wild and the cultivated forms of pear, and is usually divided into a number of subspecies. We are including all the wild subspecies of pear here under Pyrus communis. The cultivated forms, derived from the wild Pyrus communis without hybridization, are given a separate entry under Pyrus communis sativa(DC.) DC[, ]. The cultivated forms are distinguished by their absence of spines and by larger, generally tastier fruits[].
The utilization of wild pear fruits is of great importance in Ciscaucasia, where in the Krasnodar Territory alone, according to Trusevich, pear forests with an admixture of apple trees occupy 30,347 hectares, and the possible yield (together with the apples) is estimated at 139 thousand tons[].
There are two basic forms of this plant, differing mainly in shape of the fruit, with numerous varieties and forms. Achras plants have pyriform fruits whilst Pyraster forms have globose fruits. These two basic types are sometimes described as separate species, but there is no basis for this differentiation[].
The wild pear is a parent of the cultivated pear, possibly by crossing with Pyrus nivalis and Pyrus cordata[]. There are many hundreds of varieties of cultivated pears and they are widely cultivated in the temperate zone for their edible fruits. By selection of varieties fresh fruits can be obtained from late July to April or May of the following year.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, ]. The fruit of wild pears often remains very hard unless bletted[]. It is more suitable for use in pies etc. The fruit is up to 5cm long[].
Wild pear fruits are usually tart, becoming sweeter if stored. They are used in various ways depending on their gustatory qualities: they are eaten raw or dried, stewed, or used for making of drinks (kvass, perry, cider)[].
Wild pear fruits contain 70 - 85% water, 6 - 13% sugar, 0.1 - 0.2% acids (mainly citric and malic), 0.29% ash, tannins, etc[].

Medicinal

The fruit is astringent, febrifuge and sedative[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Trees are sometimes used as part of a shelterbelt planting[].

Other Uses

A yellow-tan dye is obtained from the leaves[, ].
A light brown dye is obtained from the bark[].

The seeds contain 12 - 21% fatty oils[].

The reddish-brown wood is fine grained, heavy, hard, tough, durable. It weighs 51lb per cubic foot[]. An excellent timber, it is used by cabinet and musical instrument makers and for lathework[, , , , ]. When covered with black varnish it is an excellent ebony substitute[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn, it will then usually germinate in mid to late winter. Stored seed requires 8 - 10 weeks cold stratification at 1°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible[]. Temperatures over 15 - 20°c induce a secondary dormancy in the seed[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for their first year. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.