MESTILUS GRANDIFLO'RA. 
LAEGE-FLOWERED MEDLAR. 
Class. 
ICOSANURIA. 
Order. 
DI PENTAGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
rosacea:. 
Country 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Habit. 
[ntrodueerl 
Unknown. 
12 feet. 
May, June. 
Tree. 
in 1800. 
No. 1047. 
Mespilus is a word comj^ounded from the Greek 
MESOS, half; and pilos, a bullet. The name does 
not properly apply to the fruit of the species now 
published ; it should, however, be observed, that 
the specimen from which our drawing was made, 
w'as longer in proportion to its diameter, than on 
examination we find to be their general character. 
To the shape of the fruit of Mespilus Germanicus, 
or common Medlar of our gardens, the name is 
sufficiently appropriate, this being nearly of the 
shape of one half of a globe. 
Mespilus grandiflora, sometimes called Mespilus 
Smithii, is a round compact-headed large shrub, 
attaining to the size of the common Hawthorn. 
Early in summer it flowers most profusely, and 
never fails to excite attention ; being more showy 
than the Hawthorns, and its form handsomer. In 
autumn its large reddish-bi’own fimit becomes con- 
spicuous and ornamental ; its quality mellow, but 
dry and insipid. Its generic character states it to 
be five-celled ; Mr. Cameron has never discovered 
in it more than three seeds, which number accords 
with those of fruit now before us. 
