North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Michele Stanton" <6ducks@gmail.com>]

Hi all,

I recently bought an imported Chinese Fragrant Pear. 

Does anyone grow this?

 

I was unfamiliar with it, but a search came up with this in a 2006 NY Times article:

 

“In a study published in 2001, however, scientists analyzed the variety’s molecular markers and determined that it is a complex hybrid of the two main European and Asian species, along with Pyrus armeniacifolia, a little-known Xinjiang species with small fruits and leaves similar to apricot foliage.”

 

Melissa’s produce lists it; it is grown in the Xinjiang area of northwest China, which has a dry continental (cold winter) climate.

 

Just curious!

 

Michele in Ohio zone 6a