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Wild Pear

Pyrus pyraster

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Rosales
Family:
Rosaceae (Rose)
Also in this family:
Acute Leaf-lobed Lady's-mantle, Alpine Cinquefoil, Alpine Lady's-mantle, Ampfield Cotoneaster, Arran Service Tree, Arran Whitebeam, Barren Strawberry, Bastard Agrimony, Bastard Service Tree, Bearberry Cotoneaster, Bird Cherry, Blackthorn, Bloody Whitebeam, Bramble, Bristol Whitebeam, Broad-leaved Whitebeam, Broadtooth Lady's-mantle, Bronze Pirri-pirri-bur, Bullace Plum, Bullate Cotoneaster, Burnet Rose, Catacol Whitebeam, Caucasian Lady's-mantle, Cheddar Whitebeam, Cherry Laurel, Cherry Plum, Chinese Photinia, Cloudberry, Clustered Lady's-mantle, Common Agrimony, Common Hawthorn, Common Lady's-mantle, Common Medlar, Common Ninebark, Common Whitebeam, Crab Apple, Creeping Chinese Bramble, Creeping Cinquefoil, Crimean Lady's-mantle, Cultivated Apple, Cultivated Pear, Cut-leaved Blackberry, Damson, Devon Whitebeam, Dewberry, Diel's Cotoneaster, Dog Rose, Doward Whitebeam, Dropwort, Elm-leaved Bramble, English Whitebeam, Entire-leaved Cotoneaster, False Salmonberry, Field Rose, Firethorn, Fodder Burnet, Fragrant Agrimony, Franchet's Cotoneaster, Garden Lady's-mantle, Garden Strawberry, Giant Meadowsweet, Glaucous Dog Rose, Goatsbeard Spiraea, Gough's Rock Whitebeam, Great Burnet, Greengage Plum, Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Hairless Lady's-mantle, Hairy Lady's-mantle, Hautbois Strawberry, Himalayan Blackberry, Himalayan Cotoneaster, Himalayan Whitebeam, Hoary Cinquefoil, Hollyberry Cotoneaster, Hupeh Rowan, Hybrid Cinquefoil, Hybrid Geum, Irish Whitebeam, Japanese Cherry, Japanese Quince, Japanese Rose, Jew's Mallow, Juneberry, Lancaster Whitebeam, Late Cotoneaster, Least Lady's-mantle, Least Whitebeam, Leigh Woods Whitebeam, Ley's Whitebeam, Liljefor's Whitebeam, Littleleaf Cotoneaster, Llangollen Whitebeam, Llanthony Whitebeam, Lleyn Cotoneaster, Loganberry, Many-flowered Rose, Margaret's Whitebeam, Marsh Cinquefoil, Meadowsweet, Midland Hawthorn, Mougeot's Whitebeam, Mountain Ash, Mountain Avens, Mountain Sibbaldia, Moupin's Cotoneaster, No Parking Whitebeam, Ocean Spray, Orange Whitebeam, Pale Bridewort, Pale Lady's-mantle, Parsley Piert, Pirri-pirri-bur, Plymouth Pear, Portuguese Laurel, Purple-flowered Raspberry, Quince, Raspberry, Rock Cinquefoil, Rock Lady's-mantle, Rock Whitebeam, Round-leaved Dog Rose, Round-leaved Whitebeam, Rum Cherry, Russian Cinquefoil, Salad Burnet, Sargent's Rowan, Scannell's Whitebeam, Service Tree, Sharp-toothed Whitebeam, Sherard's Downy Rose, Shining Lady's-mantle, Ship Rock Whitebeam, Short-styled Rose, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Silver Lady's-mantle, Silverweed, Slender Parsley Piert, Slender-spined Bramble, Small-flowered Sweetbriar, Small-leaved Sweetbriar, Soft Downy Rose, Somerset Whitebeam, Sorbaria, Sour Cherry, Southern Downy Rose, Southern Lady's-mantle, Spineless Acaena, Spring Cinquefoil, St. Lucie's Cherry, Steeplebush, Stern's Cotoneaster, Stirton's Whitebeam, Stone Bramble, Sulphur Cinquefoil, Swedish Service Tree, Swedish Whitebeam, Sweet Briar, Symond's Yat Whitebeam, Tengyueh Cotoneaster, Thimbleberry, Thin-leaved Whitebeam, Tibetan Cotoneaster, Tormentil, Trailing Tormentil, Tree Cotoneaster, Trefoil Cinquefoil, Twin-cliffs Whitebeam, Two-spined Acaena, Wall Cotoneaster, Water Avens, Waterer's Cotoneaster, Waxy Lady's-mantle, Welsh Cotoneaster, Welsh Whitebeam, White Burnet, White's Whitebeam, White-stemmed Bramble, Wild Cherry, Wild Plum, Wild Service Tree, Wild Strawberry, Willmott's Whitebeam, Willow-leaved Bridewort, Willow-leaved Cotoneaster, Wineberry, Wood Avens, Wye Whitebeam, Yellow-flowered Strawberry
Type:
Deciduous tree
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
15 metres tall
Habitats:
Gardens, hedgerows, scrub, woodland.

Flower:
֍
White, 5 petals
 
Clusters of white flowers. The flowers have purple anthers. Individual flowers measure up to 3.4cm across. Pollinated by insects.
Fruit:
Pears. Smaller fruit than those of Cultivated Pear (Pyrus communis). The fruit measures up to 4cm in diameter. The seeds ripen in September.
Leaves:
Oval, pointed, finely toothed leaves. The leaves alternate along the branches. Unlike Cultivated Pear (Pyrus communis), the branches of Wild Pear have thorns.
Other Names:
European Wild Pear.
Frequency (UK):
Unusual  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Pyrus pyraster, also known as the wild pear, is a deciduous tree in the family Rosaceae. It is native to Europe and Asia and typically grows in woodlands, hedgerows and other undisturbed areas. The tree can grow up to 15 meters tall and has a spreading, round shape. The leaves are glossy green, and the flowers are small and white, they usually bloom in early spring before leaves appear. The fruit is a pyriform, juicy and sweet, with a green, yellow or red skin. Wild pears are not commonly consumed as a fruit, but they are used to make perry, a fermented alcoholic beverage made from pear juice. Pyrus pyraster is a hardy tree and adaptable to different soils and climates, it is also a popular ornamental tree for its beautiful blossoms.

Blog

Wild Pear, also known as Pyrus pyraster, is a deciduous tree that is native to Europe and Western Asia. It belongs to the Rosaceae family and is closely related to the cultivated pear tree (Pyrus communis). Wild Pear is a hardy tree that can grow up to 15 meters tall and has a dense, rounded crown.

The leaves of the Wild Pear tree are simple, oval-shaped, and have a shiny, dark green color. They grow alternately on the branches and can reach a length of up to 10 centimeters. In the spring, the tree produces clusters of small, white flowers that are highly fragrant and attract bees and other pollinators. These flowers develop into small, round fruits that are green when unripe and turn yellow or brownish-red when ripe.

Wild Pear trees are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and hedgerows. They are hardy trees that can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sand. They prefer well-drained soils and can grow in both full sun and partial shade. Wild Pears are also resistant to drought and can withstand periods of low rainfall.

The fruits of the Wild Pear tree are edible but are not commonly consumed due to their astringent and gritty texture. However, they are used in the production of pear cider and are often used to make preserves and jams. The wood of the Wild Pear tree is also highly valued for its hardness and durability, and is used in the production of furniture, tool handles, and musical instruments.

Wild Pear trees are also an important habitat for a variety of wildlife. The flowers provide an important source of nectar for bees and other pollinators, while the fruits are a valuable food source for birds and mammals such as squirrels and deer. The dense foliage of the Wild Pear tree also provides shelter and nesting sites for a variety of bird species.

Wild Pear trees have been cultivated for thousands of years and have been an important food source for humans since ancient times. Archaeological evidence suggests that wild pears were domesticated by early humans in the Caucasus region around 3,000 BCE. From there, they spread throughout Europe and Asia and became an important crop in many cultures.

One of the most interesting things about Wild Pear trees is their ability to hybridize with other members of the Pyrus genus. This has led to the development of many different pear cultivars, including the popular Bartlett and Anjou pears. Wild Pear trees are also important genetic resources for pear breeders, who use them to develop new cultivars that are resistant to pests and diseases.

Wild Pear trees have also been used in traditional medicine for their various health benefits. The fruit, leaves, and bark of the tree contain various bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and tannins, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds have been shown to have a range of health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease, improving digestion, and reducing inflammation.

In terms of cultivation, Wild Pear trees are relatively easy to grow and maintain. They can be propagated from seeds or cuttings and can be planted in a wide range of soils and climates. They are generally resistant to pests and diseases, although they can be susceptible to fire blight and pear scab in some areas.

In addition to its culinary and medicinal uses, Wild Pear has a rich cultural and historical significance. It has been mentioned in literature and folklore throughout history, and has been associated with various symbolic meanings.

In Greek mythology, the Wild Pear was associated with the goddess Aphrodite, who was said to have planted a Wild Pear tree in her garden. In Christian mythology, the pear was seen as a symbol of the Virgin Mary, and was often used in religious art and iconography.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the Wild Pear was used to treat a variety of ailments, including coughs, fever, and respiratory infections. It was also believed to have a cooling and calming effect on the body, and was often used to treat anxiety and stress.

Today, Wild Pear trees are still widely grown and appreciated for their beauty and utility. They are commonly planted in parks, gardens, and public spaces, and are often used as street trees in urban areas. Their attractive flowers, colorful fruit, and dense foliage make them a popular choice for landscaping.

The Wild Pear tree also plays an important ecological role in its native habitat. Its dense foliage provides shade and shelter for a variety of wildlife, and its flowers and fruit are important food sources for bees, birds, and mammals.

The fruit of the Wild Pear tree is especially important for birds, who help to spread the seeds of the tree through their droppings. Many bird species, including thrushes, woodpeckers, and jays, rely on the fruit of the Wild Pear as a key food source during the fall and winter months.

The Wild Pear tree is also an important component of traditional hedgerow systems in Europe. Hedgerows are linear features made up of a variety of trees, shrubs, and other plants, and are an important habitat for a variety of wildlife. The Wild Pear is often planted as part of hedgerows, where it provides food, shelter, and nesting sites for a variety of bird species.

In terms of conservation, the Wild Pear tree is considered to be a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, like many tree species, it is threatened by habitat loss and degradation, particularly in its native range in Europe. Conservation efforts are underway to protect and restore Wild Pear habitat, and to promote the planting of Wild Pear trees in urban and rural landscapes.

In conclusion, the Wild Pear tree is a fascinating and important species with many ecological, cultural, and historical significance. Whether you are interested in its wildlife value, culinary uses, or ornamental beauty, there is no denying the importance and value of this remarkable tree. So if you have the opportunity to plant a Wild Pear tree in your garden or community, consider doing so to help support its conservation and ecological role.