Medlar
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The Medlar is a large shrub or small tree, and the name of the fruit of this tree. Despite its Latin name, which means German or Germanic Medlar, it is indigenous to southwest Asia and southeastern Europe, and was imported to Germany by the Romans. In the Caspian Sea region (Northern Iran), the medlar was cultivated some three thousand years ago. It came to Greece around 700 BC and to Rome about 200 BC. It was an important fruit plant during Roman and medieval times. By the 17th and 18th century, however, it had been superseded by other fruits, and is very rarely cultivated today.
The medlar requires warm summers and mild winters and prefers sunny, dry locations and slightly acidic soil. Under ideal circumstances, the deciduous plant grows up to 8 m tall. Generally, it is shorter and more shrub-like than tree-like. With a lifespan of 30-50 years, the medlar is rather short-lived. Medlar leaves are dark green and elliptic, 8-15 cm long and 3-4 cm wide. The leaves turn a spectacular red in autumn before falling.
In the northern hemisphere the five-petalled white flowers are produced in May and June. The reddish-brown medlar fruit is a pome, 2-3 cm diameter, with wide-spreading persistent sepals giving a 'hollow' appearance to the fruit.
Medlar fruit are very hard and acidic. They become edible after being softened ('bletted') by frost, or naturally in storage given sufficent time. Once softening begins the skin rapidly takes a wrinkled texture and turns brown, and the inside reduces to the consistancy and flavour reminiscent of apple sauce. This process can be a cause of confusion to new medlar consumers, as a softened medlar can give the appearance that it has spoiled.
Medlar are one of the few fruits that becomes edible in autumn and winter, and an important tree for gardeners who wish to try and have fruit available all year round.
See also
- Loquat - the "Japanese medlar"
External links
- A short article with an illustration (http://www.southmeadowfruitgardens.com/FeaturedFruitTrees.html)
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