Flowering Quince
Chaenomeles speciosa
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
▲▼ mature shrubs flowering in spring
▲▼ mature shrubs flowering in spring
▲▼ flowers
▲ twigs showing thorny modified twig-spurs
▲▼ leaves showing prominent "half-moon" stipules
▲▼ spines at leaf axils and short spur spines, along with "half-moon" stipules
Location on campus: by the northeast entrance to Taylor Health Center on MSU campus
Chaenomeles speciosa: Flowering Quince
· leaves simple, deciduous, alternate, ovate to oblong with large ear-shaped stipules on current-seasons growth; leaves 1.5-3.5" long and 1/2 as wide and dark, shiny green above and glabrous
· stems are slender and brown, with periodic 1/2" - 1" thorns
· flowers are white, pink, red, orangish, peach-colored on old wood at the nodes in early spring before leaves emerge
· fruit is a large, apple-shaped pome; very sour when fresh, but can be cooked & preserved for sweet preserve
· prefers full sun and dry soils, but fairly soil-adaptable
· medium growth rate