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Common Name: Bollwyller Pear

General Information

Sorbopyrus auricularis is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 12.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

The leaves and flowers 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

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Range

A bi-generic hybrid of garden origin.

Habitat

Not known in the wild.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in a well-drained moisture-retentive soil in an open sunny position[]. Succeeds in light shade but fruits less well in such a position.
This species is a bi-generic hybrid of garden origin between Sorbus aria and Pyrus communis[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The fruit has a dry and sweet yellowish flesh[, ]. Rather like a small pear, it has a very nice flavour when fully ripe[]. The fruit is up to 5cm long[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible, otherwise in late winter. The plant produces very little fertile seed, and this does not breed true[], though some interesting plants might be produced[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Grafting is the best method of propagating this plant. This is best carried out in early spring, though budding can be carried out in the summer.