Flora of New Zealand Series

quince

Large shrub or small tree up to 5-(8) m high and several m diam. when mature; trunk short or 0 and plants sometimes forming small suckering thickets; upper branches often arching; stems dark brownish red and felted when young. Petiole (4)-6-14 mm long; blade ovate to broad-elliptic, oblong or suborbicular, 30-80 × 25-50 mm, rounded to subacute at apex, obtuse at base, white-tomentose at first on upper surface, becoming glabrate and dull, white- to grey-tomentose below; margin entire; stipules lanceolate. Fls 30-50 mm diam. Sepals densely tomentose, persistent; lobes oblong, acute, glandular, sharply reflexed. Petals oblong, 12-25 mm long, rounded or slightly emarginate. Fr. pyriform or subglobose, usually 80-150 mm long, yellow, ± finely tomentose, fragrant, with apical cavity.

N.: N. Auckland - upper part of Hokianga Harbour and Kaipara Harbour at Oruawharo R.

S.W. Asia 1922

Scattered around old cultivation sites and settlements reverting to scrub.

FL Sep-Nov FT Feb-Apr.

Quince is commonly cultivated throughout N.Z. for its edible frs and long persists in neglected or abandoned gardens. The sp. has been known as C. vulgaris in N.Z.