290 [ THE MEDLAR 



THE MEDLAR. 

 Mespilus germanica Lin. ROSACEAE (POMACEAE) 



Maltese^ Omm il-epp (Fomm il-lipp\ lt&\\a.n=ngspolo. French =.ntflier 



The medlar is native of the Mediterranean region, 

 Central Europe and Asia Minor, and is still occasionally 

 met with in a wild state in our valleys. 



The name omm il-epp is connected with the popular 

 belief still held by old gardeners that the medlar is the 

 progenitor of the apple ; Fomm it-lipp is a modern 

 corruption which conveys no meaning whatever. 



The medlar is sometimes cultivated more as a 

 curiosity than as a fruit tree. It is a deciduous shrub or 

 small tree, 2 to 3 metres high, with oblong-ovate leaves 

 of leathery texture, with an irregular upper surface deeply 

 furrowed along the midrib and nerves. The flowers are 

 large, borne singly or in small clusters of two or three at 

 the extremity of the twigs. The fruits are spheroidal, 

 depressed at both poles, with a broad scar at the top, 

 surrounded by the residues of the five divergent sepals of 

 the calix. The fruit is gathered late in October or in 

 November and is eaten when it becomes overripe and 

 quite soft. To promote and regulate its maturity it is 

 rolled up in a piece of cloth or put up in layers in a jar 

 or box along with husks or thick bran. 



The medlar thrives well in all soils and all situations, 

 but prefers a rather stiff soil and a cool situation looking 

 north, where it grows tall and may reach a height of over 

 three metres. It may be propagated by seed which 

 takes about two years to germinate, or by cuttings, layers 

 or suckers. It is also grafted or budded on the hawthorn 

 the pear and the quince. 



Propagation by cuttings and layers, and especially 

 by suckers is easy, and may be done as suggested for 

 the apple. If grafted on the hawthorn or on the pear 

 the medlar grows quickly and attains a good size, but it is 



