Mespilus germanica / Nespolo

Origin: South-eastern Europe, Minor Asia.

Botanical characteristics: It is a small deciduous tree or large shrub that is prickly and with spreading growth habit. It has large, dark green, prickly leaves from lanceolate to ovate, which turn rust in autumn. It blooms in May-June and has individual, large, white flowers, up to 5 cm long. The flowers are followed by pear-shaped fruits that are fleshy and edible when ripe and partially fermented.

Agronomic and environmental characteristics: It is cultivated and wild, but rare on sub-acid soil in deciduous broadleaved woodlands. It is easier to find it on sub-Mediterranean woodlands. The origin of the plant is doubtful but it seems to have Eastern origins. It grows on moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soils with full sun exposure.

Use: Once it was cultivated for its fruits, but now it is little cultivated. It is used in gardens and in orchards as individual plant for its flowering. It is used for reforestation, too.