| Quince | |
|---|---|
| |
| Fruit and tree illustration by Pancrace Bessa, before 1835 | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Subfamily: | Amygdaloideae |
| Tribe: | Maleae |
| Subtribe: | Malinae |
| Genus: | Cydonia Mill. |
| Species: | C. oblonga
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cydonia oblonga Mill.
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
C. vulgaris | |
The quince (/ˈkwɪns/; Cydonia oblonga) is the sole member of the genus Cydonia in the Malinae subtribe (which contains apples, pears, and other fruits) of the Rosaceae family. It is a deciduous tree that bears hard, aromatic bright golden-yellow pome fruit, similar in appearance to a pear. Ripe quince fruits are hard, tart, and astringent. They are eaten raw or processed into jam, quince cheese, or alcoholic drinks.
The quince tree is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant for its attractive pale pink blossoms, and as a miniature bonsai plant. In ancient Greece, the word for quince was used slightly ribaldly to signify teenage breasts.
- ^ Plummer, J. (2021). "Cydonia oblonga". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T61611928A61611931. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T61611928A61611931.en. Retrieved 25 January 2024.