2. Pyrus communis L. (pear)
Pl. 538 a; Map
2484
Plants trees to
15 m tall, usually at least somewhat thorny. Twigs glabrous or nearly so, the
winter buds relatively small, the scales glabrous but hairy along the margins.
Petioles 15–40 mm, moderately to densely hairy when young, becoming glabrous at
maturity. Leaf blades 4–8 cm long, elliptic to ovate or broadly ovate, mostly
short-tapered to a sharply pointed tip, broadly angled to rounded or shallowly
cordate at the base, the margins finely and bluntly toothed, the surfaces
somewhat cobwebby-hairy during development, glabrous and shiny at maturity,
green to dark green. Inflorescences short, broad, dome-shaped racemes with 4–9
flowers. Sepals 6–9 mm long, triangular, the margins usually with a narrow,
pale band and slightly uneven, the upper surface moderately to densely hairy,
at least toward the base, the undersurface glabrous or with patches of hair
basally where adjacent sepals adjoin, persistent at fruiting. Petals 10–15 mm
long, white. Styles usually 5. Fruits (2–)3–8(–16) cm long, ovoid, obovoid, or
pear-shaped, the surface yellowish green, brown, or red, with or without pale
dots. Seeds 5–10. 2n=34. April–May.
Introduced,
uncommon, mostly in the eastern half of the state (cultigen of European or
Asian origin, introduced widely in the U.S. [except for some of the northern
Plains states]; Canada). Banks of streams, bottomland forests, and mesic upland
forests; also pastures, old fields, old homesites, railroads, roadsides, and
disturbed areas.
Pears are a very
old fruit crop. Escaped plants usually do not breed true to the parental tree,
producing bitter, relatively inedible fruits.