Mespilus germanica (Medlar)

Mespilus germanica 

Family: Rosaceae

Common names: medlar

It is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 6.00 metres tall. When the fruits ripen the flesh turns from white to brown, becomes very soft and is quite sweet with an absolutely delicious flavour that somewhat resembles a luscious tropical fruit. The fruit of the wild species is up to 25mm in diameter.

Sowing instructions: The seed has a very hard and impermeable seedcoat and will not usually germinate until it has gone through two winters. Commercially, such seeds are soaked for a short while in sulphuric acid to break down the seed coat and allow the seed to take up moisture, this is a very delicate procedure and difficult to do on a small scale. A home gardener could try soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water then cold stratifying it for 2 – 3 months at 1 – 5°c before sowing it.

Locality: Ex Hort. Harvest: January 2025