Pseudocydonia


Pseudocydonia sinensis, the Chinese quince, is a deciduous or semi-evergreen tree in the family Rosaceae, native to East Asia in China, and the sole species in the genus Pseudocydonia. It is closely related to the east Asian genus Chaenomeles, and is sometimes placed in Chaenomeles as C. sinensis, but notable differences are the lack of thorns, and that the flowers are produced singly, not in clusters. The Chinese quince is also closely related to the European Quince, Cydonia oblonga; notable differences include the serrated leaves, and lack of fuzz.
In China, the species is called mùguā, while in Korea, it is called mogwa-namu. The name of its fruit, mùguā in Chinese and mogwa in Korean, are cognates, the latter having derived from mokgwa, the Korean reading of the same Chinese characters. In Chinese, mùguā also means "papaya". In Japan, it is called karin, and the fruit, when referred to for its medicinal properties, is also called wa-mokka, a cognate derived from the Chinese and Korean names.
It grows to 10–18 m tall, with a dense, twiggy crown. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, 6–12 cm long and 3–6 cm broad, and have a serrated margin. The flowers are 2.5–4 cm diameter, with five pale pink petals; flowering is in mid spring. The fruit is a large ovoid pome 12–17 cm long with five carpels; it gives off an intense, sweet smell when it ripens in late autumn.

Uses

The fruit is hard and astringent, though it does soften and becomes less astringent after a period of frost. It can be used in the same way as quince is used for making jam. It is also grown as an ornamental tree in southern Europe.
In Korea, the fruit is used to make mogwa-cheong and mogwa-cha.
The wood of this plant is frequently used in Japan for making low-end shamisen.
The fruit is used extensively in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Recent pharmacological studies suggest extracts of phytochemicals in the fruit have antioxidant and antiviral properties.

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