0241 



QUINCE 



Family: ROSACEAE. 



Reproductive system: ICOSANDRY, PENTAGYNY. 



The common quince tree, Cydonia sativa, Pyrus cydonia, Linn., [Translator's 

 note: now Cydonia oblonga] is a tree about fifteen or twenty feet high, frequently with a 

 twisted trunk. The new branches are covered with a cottony down. The large leaves are 

 oval, soft, quite entire, green on top and white and cottony underneath. The large, slightly 

 pinkish, white flowers are solitary in the axils of the upper leaves. The calyx has five 

 sections and the corolla five petals. The numerous stamens insert in the calyx. The ovary 

 is adherent; it turns into a yellow, cottony, turbinate fruit divided inside into five 

 compartments containing several cartilaginous seeds. 



FLOWERS: in May. 



RANGE: the southern provinces of France and Europe. 



NOMENCLATURE. Cydonia, from Cydon, now Khania, in Crete, where it was 

 originally grown [Translator 's note: the tree now is thought to have originated in western 

 Asia and was introduced into Crete around the seventh century B.C.E.]. German, der 

 quittenbaum, die quite. Dutch, kweeboom. English, the quince-tree. Italian, cotogno. 

 Spanish, membrillero. Russian, armud. Polish, pigwa. Hungarian, birs-alma. 



USES. The fruit of the quince tree is acidic, bitter, and astringent. Preserves and a 

 jelly called cotignac are made from it. Its odor is so strong and penetrating that when it 

 begins to ripen it must be kept far from dwellings. 



Extract of quince and other preparations of the fruit are used medicinally for 

 diarrhea, which is known to be caused by infirmity of the digestive organs. A decoction 

 of the seeds yields a mucilage that sometimes is used externally for inflammatory 

 ophthalmias. Quince syrup is used in absinthe and in the electuary diaprun [Translator's 

 note: a soothing medicated paste]. 



