Flowering-quince (Chaenomeles japonica, Hist. Nat. Vég. 2: 159 (1834))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: (Thunb.) Lindl. ex Spach

Bibliography: Hist. Nat. Vég. 2: 159 (1834)

Year: 1834

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Chaenomeles

Vegetable: False

Observations: S. Korea, Japan (Honshu, Kyushu)

Description

Flowering-quince is a charming deciduous shrub that belongs to the Rosaceae family. This plant, scientifically known as Chaenomeles japonica, was first documented in botanical literature in 1834. Chaenomeles japonica is native to East Asia, specifically observed in South Korea and the Japanese islands of Honshu and Kyushu.

Renowned for its vibrant and striking flowers, the flowering-quince typically blooms in the early spring, often before its leaves have fully emerged. The flowers come in an array of colors, including shades of red, pink, and white, which create a dazzling display in gardens and natural landscapes. Each flower is comprised of delicate petals and prominent stamens that attract various pollinators, enhancing the biodiversity of the surrounding environment.

The plant produces small, apple-like fruits that are rich in vitamin C. While the fruits are quite tart when raw, they can be used in culinary applications such as jellies and preserves, offering a unique flavor that is both robust and aromatic. Moreover, the dense thickets created by flowering-quince make it a desirable choice for hedges and natural barriers, providing both aesthetic and practical benefits.

The foliage of Chaenomeles japonica is equally captivating. The leaves are glossy and serrated, adding texture and depth to the plant’s overall appearance. In autumn, the leaves often turn yellow, adding yet another layer of seasonal interest.

Flowering-quince is particularly valued in traditional Japanese gardens, where it is appreciated for its aesthetic appeal and symbolic significance. It represents both beauty and resilience, qualities that are deeply revered in many cultures.

Cultivating flowering-quince is relatively straightforward. It thrives in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade and is relatively drought-tolerant once established. Regular pruning helps maintain its shape and encourages a more abundant floral display.

In summary, the flowering-quince is not only admired for its brilliant springtime blooms and versatile fruits but also for its rich cultural heritage and adaptability in various garden settings. This remarkable shrub continues to be a beloved addition to gardens worldwide, treasured for its enduring beauty and historical significance.

Common Names

Fra: cognassier du japon
Eng: flowering-quince, japanese flowering quince, japanese quince, japanese-quince, maule’s quince, japanese flowering-quince
Lav: jap
Deu: japanische scheinquitte, japanische zierquitte, japanische quitte
Lit: japoninis svarainis
Dan: lille japankvæde
Ces: kdoulovec japonský
Por: marmeleiro-do-japão, marmelinho-japonês
Spa: membrillero japonés
Nld: japanse sierkwee
Jpn: kusa-boke
Swe: liten rosenkvitten
Nno: småeldkvede, eldkvede
Nob: småildkvede, ildkvede
Cym: coeden gwins japan
En: Flowering-quince, Japanese-quince, Maule’s quince, Japanese flowering quince, Japanese Quince, Japanese flowering-quince
Hy: Խենոմելես ճապոնական
Az: Yapon xenomelesi
Eu: Irasagar japoniarra
Be: Айва японская
Bg: Японска дюля
Ca: Codonyer del Japó
Zh: Ri ben mu gua, 日本木瓜, 日本海棠
Hr: Japanska dunja
Cs: Kdoulovec japonský
Da: Lille Japankvæde
Nl: Japanse sierkwee, Japanse Kweepeer
Et: Jaapani ebaküdoonia
Fi: Japaninruusukvitteni
Fr: Cognassier du Japon, Pommier du Japon
De: Japanische Quitte, Japanische Zierquitte, Japanische Scheinquitte, Niedrige Zierquitte
Hu: Japánbirs
It: Cotogno del Giappone, Nespolo del Giappone
Ja: Kusa-boke
Ko: Pulmyeongjanamu
Lv: Jap
Lt: Japoninis svarainis
No: Eldkvede
Nb: Småildkvede, Ildkvede
Nn: Småeldkvede, Eldkvede
Fa: به ژاپنی پاکوتاه
Pl: Pigwowiec japoński
Pt: Marmeleiro-do-Japão, Marmelinho-japonês
Ro: Gutui japonez
Ru: Айва японская
Sr: Japanska dunja
Sk: Dulovec japonský
Es: Membrillero japonés, Japonska kutina, Membrillero del Japón
Sv: Liten rosenkvitten
Uz: Behigul
Cy: Coeden gwins Japan

Synonyms

• Pyrus japonica (Thunb.)
• Pyrus japonica alpina ((Maxim.) Franch. & Sav.)
• Chaenomeles japonica f. tricolor ((Parsons & Sons) Rehder)
• Chaenomeles japonica var. gigantea (Lavallée)
• Cydonia maulei ((Mast.) T.Moore)
• Chaenomeles japonica var. maillardii (Lavallée)
• Chaenomeles japonica var. maulei ((Mast.) Lavallée)
• Chaenomeles japonica f. tortuosa ((Nakai) Okuyama)
• Cydonia japonica var. grandiflora (Rehder)
• Cydonia japonica var. atrosanguineaplena (Rehder)
• Cydonia japonica var. cardinalis (Rehder)
• Cydonia lagenaria (Loisel.)
• Chaenomeles japonica var. fastigiata (Lavallée)
• Chaenomeles maulei var. alba (Nakai)
• Chaenomeles maulei var. tricolor (Rehder)
• Cydonia japonica var. umbilicata (Rehder)
• Pyrus japonica wilsonii (Anon.)
• Chaenomeles japonica var. bugeautii (Lavallée)
• Chaenomeles japonica f. alba ((Nakai) Ohwi)
• Pyrus maulei (Mast.)
• Cydonia japonica var. rubragrandiflora (Rehder)
• Cydonia japonica tricolor (Parsons)
• Chaenomeles japonica var. umbilicata (Lavallée)
• Cydonia japonica mallardii (Jacob-Makoy)
• Pyrus japonica var. typica (Koidz.)
• Chaenomeles japonica var. tricolor (Rehder)
• Chaenomeles japonica var. macrocarpa (Lavallée)
• Chaenomeles japonica var. mallardii (Carrière)
• Chaenomeles japonica var. pygmaea (Maxim.)
• Cydonia maulei var. tricolor (Rehder)
• Chaenomeles trichogyna (Nakai)
• Cydonia maulei var. alpina ((Maxim.) Rehder)
• Cydonia japonica var. candida (Rehder)
• Cydonia japonica ((Thunb.) Pers.)
• Chaenomeles cardinalis var. alba (Nakai)
• Cydonia japonica var. alba (Lodd.)
• Aronia japonica ((Thunb.) K.Koch)
• Cydonia japonica var. lagenaria (Makino)
• Pseudochaenomeles maulei ((Mast.) Carrière)
• Chaenomeles maulei var. tortuosa (Nakai)
• Cydonia sargentii (Lemoine ex K.Schum.)
• Chaenomeles maulei ((Mast.) Lavallée ex Zabel)
• Chaenomeles maulei var. sargentii (Mottet)
• Chaenomeles maulei var. alpina (C.K.Schneid.)
• Chaenomeles maulei var. typica (C.K.Schneid.)
• Cydonia japonica var. typica (Makino)
• Chaenomeles alpina ((Maxim.) Koehne)
• Chaenomeles japonica var. alpina (Maxim.)
• Cydonia japonica var. wilsonii (E.Beckett)
• Cydonia japonica var. roseaplena (Rehder)
• Cydonia japonica var. sanguineaplena (Rehder)
• Chaenomeles lagenaria (Koidz.)

Distribution

• Japan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Turkmenistan (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Mar 6, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Dec 17, 2021 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 7, 2021 by Rico García Antonio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 28, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 28, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 28, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 13, 2020 by cerkill (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 13, 2020 by M Marina (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 2, 2020 by Thierry LE COM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 17, 2020 by vall (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 3, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 17, 2022 by Bernard Boutin (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 13, 2019 by Arthur Bl (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 25, 2019 by Eric Bossard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 17, 2020 by vall (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 2, 2020 by sitrul (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3000610)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77105966-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Chaenomeles japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. ex Spach)

Specifications

Growth form: Multiple Stem

Growth habit: Shrub

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 4.5