''Pyrus betulifolia'', known as the birchleaf pear in English and tang li in Chinese,
is a deciduous wild
pear
Pears are fruits produced and consumed around the world, growing on a tree and harvested in late summer into mid-autumn. The pear tree and shrub are a species of genus ''Pyrus'' , in the Family (biology), family Rosaceae, bearing the Pome, po ...
tree
native
Native may refer to:
People
* '' Jus sanguinis'', nationality by blood
* '' Jus soli'', nationality by location of birth
* Indigenous peoples, peoples with a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory
** Nat ...
to the leafy forests of northern and central China and Tibet. It can grow 10 meters high in optimal conditions. Formidable thorns (which are
modified stems) protect its leaves from predation. These narrow and extended leaves, resembling smaller birch leaves, provide it with its
specific name Specific name may refer to:
* in Database management systems, a system-assigned name that is unique within a particular database
In taxonomy, either of these two meanings, each with its own set of rules:
* Specific name (botany), the two-part (bino ...
''betulifolia'', meaning "birch leaf". Its small fruit ( in diameter) are used as ingredients in types of rice wine in China and sake in Japan. It is used as
rootstock
A rootstock is part of a plant, often an underground part, from which new above-ground growth can be produced. It could also be described as a stem with a well developed root system, to which a bud from another plant is grafted. It can refer to ...
for
grafting
Grafting or graftage is a horticulture, horticultural technique whereby tissues of plants are joined so as to continue their growth together. The upper part of the combined plant is called the scion () while the lower part is called the roots ...
popular
Asian pear varieties.
References
External links
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Pears
betulifolia
Taxa named by Alexander von Bunge
{{pyrus-stub