Tropical Plant "Medlar"
Mespilus germanica

Characteristics - The medlar is an exotic fruit, native from southereastern Europe to central Asia, having been cultivated in ancient times by the Assyrians and Babylonians, also by the Greeks and Romans, who developed some cultivars; in spite of its introduction, in the southern part of Brazil, in colonial times, it is rarely cultivated. It is a large shrub or small deciduous tree, spinescent or thornless, 2-5 m tall and looks like a pear or apple tree. Leaves simple, chartaceous, glabrous and lustrous, 4-9 cm long. Flowers solitary, terminal, androgynous, form from October to December. Fruits are brown, ovoid, crowned by a persistent calyx, the carnose pulp tastes like an acidic, astringent wine, there are 5 seeds and the fruits mature in the winter.

Uses - The fruits are consumed in natura after going through some freezes and being left on the tree until they are very ripe (over ripe). Also used to make jellies.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.