APPLE FAMILY 



JAPAN QUINCE 



Pyrus Japan tea. Cydbnia japonic a. 



Cydonia from Cyclon in Crete, where the quince was first 

 brought into notice. 



One of the most desirable of cultivated shrubs ; appearing in 

 many varieties. The type has rigid thorny stems intricately 

 branched, and bright scarlet flowers ; the variations occur more 

 in size and color of flowers than in habit of shrub. Native of 

 Japan. 



Leaves. — Alternate, simple, pinnately veined, three to five 

 inches long, ovate, ovate-lanceolate or oblong, wedge-shaped at 

 base, crenately serrate, acute at apex. When full growai thick, 

 smooth, leathery, dark shining bluish green above, pale yellow 

 green beneath. Margin thickened and slightly turned inward. 

 Petiole short, the leaf texture inclined to run down upon it. 

 Autumnal tint deep bronze red. Stipules leaf-like, irregularly 

 kidney-shaped, bilateral, crenately serrate ; found on growing 

 shoots in September. 



Flowers. — In shape and structure like apple blossoms. In 

 color varying from deep reds to wdiite. 



Fruit. — Pome, full oval or globose, two to two and a half 

 inches long ; stem deeply sunken in fruit. Olive green with 

 reddish cheek, covered with white dots, hard, acid with typical 

 quince flavor. 



The brilliant bloom of the Japan Quince in the early 

 spring- always attracts attention ; the closely packed 

 bright red blossoms set the bush aflame, and far away 

 in the parks it fairly lights up the path. The plant 

 has been known in this country for nearl}^ a hundred 

 years but has not yet received all the appreciation 

 that it deserves. 



To an unusual degree this shrub is clothed with its 

 leaves. The branching- habit is intricate ; the leaves 



