Chinese-quince (Chaenomeles speciosa, Jap. J. Bot. 4:331. 1929)

Family: Rosaceae

Author: Nakai

Bibliography: Jap. J. Bot. 4:331. 1929

Year: 1909

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Chaenomeles

Vegetable: False

Observations: China

Description

The Chinese-quince, scientifically known as Chaenomeles speciosa, is a striking plant species that has garnered interest both horticulturally and botanically. First documented in 1929 in the Japanese Journal of Botany by the distinguished botanist Nakai, this plant is valued for its ornamental beauty and its cultural significance.

Native to China, the Chinese-quince flourishes in temperate climates and belongs to the Rosaceae family, which is renowned for its diverse and economically important members such as roses, apples, and strawberries. The plant often features an intricate structure with thorny branches and deciduous leaves that transform through captivating seasonal changes.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Chaenomeles speciosa is its vibrant flowers. They typically bloom in early spring with an array of colors ranging from delicate pinks to striking reds and white. These blossoms attract a variety of pollinators, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance within their native habitats.

By autumn, the flowers give way to distinctive yellow-green fruits. These fruits, resembling small quinces, are hard and acidic when raw but can be cooked and used in preserves, adding a unique culinary value to the plant. The fruit also contains astringent properties, traditionally used in herbal remedies within Chinese medicine.

Chaenomeles speciosa is not only admired for its practical fruits and flowers but also for its aesthetic appeal in garden landscapes. It is often planted as a hardy, low-maintenance shrub or as part of hedgerows, providing visual interest throughout the year with its dynamic seasonal transformations.

Through its rich history rooted in cultural and botanical significance, the Chinese-quince continues to be a beloved plant, cherished for its stunning floral displays and practical applications.

Common Names

Eng: chinese-quince, flowering quince, japanese quince, japanese-quince, flowering-quince, chinese quince
Deu: chinesische scheinquitte, chinesische zierquitte, japanische scheinquitte
Fra: cognassier à fleurs
Dan: stor japankvæde
Por: marmelinho-japonês
Swe: stor rosenkvitten
Nld: chinese sierkwee
Nno: storeldkvede
Nob: storildkvede
Cym: coeden gwins tsieina
En: Chinese-quince, Flowering-quince, Japanese-quince, Flowering quince, Japanese Quince, Chinese Quince, Common flowering Quince, Ornamental Quince
Zh: Tie geng hai tang, Zhou pi mu gua
Da: Stor japankvæde
Nl: Chinese sierkwee
Fi: Kiinanruusukvitteni
Fr: Cognassier à fleurs
De: Chinesische Scheinquitte, Chinesische Zierquitte, Japanische Scheinquitte
It: Cotogno
Ja: Boke
Ko: Myeongjanamu
Nb: Storildkvede
Nn: Storeldkvede
Pt: Marmelinho-japonês
Sv: Stor rosenkvitten
Cy: Coeden Gwins Tsieina

Synonyms

• Chaenomeles citripomma (Carrière)
• Pyrus japonica var. alba (G.Lodd.)
• Cydonia japonica var. papeleusii (Lem.)
• Chaenomeles eugenioides var. alba ((G.Lodd.) Nakai)
• Chaenomeles eburnea ((Carrière) Nakai)
• Chaenomeles japonica var. genuina (Maxim.)
• Chaenomeles speciosa f. tortuosa ((Nakai) H.Hara)
• Chaenomeles speciosa f. papeleusii ((Lem.) H.Hara)
• Chaenomeles speciosa f. gaujardii ((Lem.) H.Hara)
• Cydonia japonica var. gaujardii (Lem.)
• Cydonia japonica var. genuina ((Maxim.) T.Itô)
• Chaenomeles cardinalis var. tortuosa (Nakai)
• Chaenomeles cardinalis ((Carrière) Nakai)
• Cydonia citripomma ((Carrière) Mottet)
• Chaenomeles japonica var. extuscoccinea (Carrière)
• Chaenomeles japonica var. eburnea (Carrière)
• Cydonia umbato (M.Roem.)
• Pyrus speciosa ((Sweet) M.F.Fay & Christenh.)
• Chaenomeles speciosa f. alba ((G.Lodd.) H.Hara)
• Chaenomeles japonica var. cardinalis (Carrière)
• Chaenomeles angustifolia var. eburnea ((Carrière) Nakai)
• Chaenomeles speciosa f. extuscoccinea ((Carrière) H.Hara)
• Chaenomeles alba grandiflora (Carrière)
• Chaenomeles angustifolia (Koidz.)
• Chaenomeles speciosa f. eburnea ((Carrière) H.Hara)
• Chaenomeles alba (Carrière)
• Cydonia speciosa (Sweet)
• Chaenomeles eugenioides var. tortuosa (Nakai)
• Chaenomeles eugenioides (Koidz.)

Distribution

• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken May 3, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2022 by Cacti diCacta (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 1, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 5, 2020 by akire kilbuk (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2022 by Margaux Duchêne (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2022 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2022 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 1, 2022 by Joseph Dupont (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2022 by Jaina (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2021 by Rafael (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 2, 2022 by Emmanuel Girard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2022 by Joseph Dupont (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 8, 2021 by Kevin Manley-Green (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2022 by Sabi Shaw (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 5, 2022 by mathis gaucher (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 16, 2019 by sztykgold (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2022 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2022 by Guy DR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 19, 2022 by Alix Dodu (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2022 by Winston (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 4, 2021 by Johanna Frommberger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 31, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2022 by Jaina (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:722128-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3000679)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai)

Specifications

Growth