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Pear
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The pear is a tree of genus Pyrus (pronounced /ˈpaɪrəs/) and also the name of the tree's edible pomaceous Pears
Current events
Random article fruit.[2] The pear is classified within Maloideae, a subfamily within Rosaceae. The apple (Malus ×domestica),
which it resembles in floral structure, is also a member of this subfamily.
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The English word pear is probably from Common West Germanic *pera, probably a loanword of Vulgar Latin
pira, the plural of pirum, akin to Greek api(r)os, which is likely of Semitic origin. The place name Perry can
Go   Search indicate the historical presence of pear trees. The term "pyriform" is sometimes used to describe something
which is "pear-shaped".
interaction
About Wikipedia Contents [hide]
Community portal 1 History
Recent changes 2 Botany
Contact Wikipedia 2.1 Major recognized taxa
Donate to Wikipedia
3 Cultivation
Help
3.1 Harvest
toolbox 3.2 Diseases and pests
What links here 3.3 Production
Related changes 4 Uses European Pear branch with fruit
Upload file 5 Health benefits Scientific classification
Special pages 6 See also
Printable version Kingdom: Plantae
7 References
Permanent link
8 External links Division: Magnoliophyta
Cite this page
Class: Magnoliopsida
languages
History [edit]
Order: Rosales
Bosanski The cultivation of the pear in cool temperate climates extends to the Family: Rosaceae
Български remotest antiquity, and there is evidence of its use as a food since Subfamily: Maloideae or
Català prehistoric times. Many traces of it have been found in the Swiss lake-
Česky Spiraeoideae [1]
dwellings. The word "pear" or its equivalent occurs in all the Celtic
Cymraeg
languages, while in Slavonic and other dialects different appellations, but
Tribe: Pyreae[1]
Dansk
Deutsch still referring to the same thing, are found—a diversity and multiplicity of Genus: Pyrus
nomenclature which led Alphonse de Candolle to infer a very ancient L.
Diné bizaad
Eesti cultivation of the tree from the shores of the Caspian to those of the
Species
Ελληνικά Callery Pears in flower Atlantic.
Español About 30 species; see text
Pears grow in the sublime orchard of Alcinous, in Odyssey vii: "Therein
Esperanto
Euskara
grow trees, tall and luxuriant, pears and pomegranates and apple-trees
with their bright fruit, and sweet figs, and luxuriant olives. Of these the
Français fruit perishes not nor fails in winter or in summer, but lasts throughout the
Furlan year."
Galego
The pear was cultivated also by the Romans, who did not eat them raw
한국어
[citation needed]
Hornjoserbsce : Pliny's Natural History recommended stewing them with
Hrvatski honey and noted three dozen varieties. The Roman cookbook attributed
Bartlett pears (European type)
Italiano to Apicius, De re coquinaria, has a recipe for a spiced stewed-pear
ready to pick
patina, or soufflé (IV.2.35).
Latina
The ancient Kingdom of Dardania was named after the pear, meaning
Lëtzebuergesch
"Pearland."
Lietuvių
Magyar A certain race of pears, with white down on the under surface of their
Nederlands Pear, "La France" (Japan)
leaves, is supposed to have originated from P. nivalis, and their fruit is
日本語 chiefly used in France in the manufacture of perry (see also cider). Other
Norsk (bokmål) small-fruited pears, distinguished by their early ripening and apple-like fruit, may be referred to P. cordata, a
Norsk (nynorsk)
species found wild in western France, and in Devonshire and Cornwall. Pears have been cultivated in China for
Nouormand Pear blossoms
approximately 3000 years. The genus is thought to have originated in present-day western China in the
Occitan
Polski foothills of the Tian Shan, a mountain range of Central Asia, and to have spread to the north and south along
Português mountain chains, evolving into a diverse group of over 20 widely recognized primary species. The enormous
Runa Simi number of varieties of the cultivated European pear (Pyrus communis subsp. communis), are without doubt
Русский derived from one or two wild subspecies (P. communis subsp. pyraster and P. communis subsp. caucasica),
Scots widely distributed throughout Europe, and sometimes forming part of the natural vegetation of the forests. In
Simple English
England, where an ancient pear tree gave its name to[citation needed] Pirio (Perry Barr, a district of
Српски / Srpski
Birmingham) in Domesday, the pear is sometimes considered wild; there is always the doubt that it may not
Suomi
really be so, but the produce of some seed of a cultivated tree deposited by birds or otherwise, which has
Svenska
germinated as a wild-form spine-bearing tree. Court accounts of Henry III of England record pears shipped Another image of Pear blossoms
from Rochelle and presented to the King by the Sheriffs of London.[3] The French names of pears grown in
Türkçe English medieval gardens suggests that their reputation, at the least, was French; a favored variety in the
Türkçe accounts was named for Saint Rule or Regul', bishop of Senlis.[4]
 Asian species with medium to large edible fruit include P. pyrifolia, P. ussuriensis, P. ×bretschneideri, P.
Vèneto
×sinkiangensis, and P. pashia. Other small-fruited species are frequently used as rootstocks for the
Walon
粵語 cultivated species.
Žemaitė ška
中文 Botany [edit]
Bân-lâm-gú
Pears are native to coastal and mildly temperate regions of the Old World, from western Europe and north
Africa east right across Asia. They are medium sized trees, reaching 10–17 m tall, often with a tall, narrow Clapps Favorite (a European
crown; a few species are shrubby. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, 2–12 cm long, glossy green  type), perfect for picking
on some species, densely silvery-hairy in some others; leaf shape varies from broad oval to narrow lanceolate.
Most pears are deciduous, but one or two species in southeast Asia are evergreen. Most are cold-hardy, withstanding temperatures between −25
°C and −40 °C in winter, except for the evergreen species, which only tolerate temperatures down to about −15 °C. The flowers are white, rarely
tinted yellow or pink, 2–4 cm diameter, and have five petals.[5] Like that of the related apple, the pear fruit is a pome, in most wild species 1–4 cm 
diameter, but in some cultivated forms up to 18 cm long and 8 cm broad; the shape varies in most species from oblate or globose, to the classic 
pyriform 'pear-shape' of the European Pear with an elongated basal portion and a bulbous end.
The fruit is composed of the receptacle or upper end of the flower-stalk (the so-called calyx tube) greatly dilated. Enclosed within its cellular flesh
is the true fruit: five cartilaginous carpels, known colloquially as the "core". From the upper rim of the receptacle are given off the five sepals[vague],
the five petals, and the very numerous stamens.
The pear is very similar to the apple in cultivation, propagation and pollination.
Pears and apples cannot always be distinguished by the form of the fruit; some pears look very much like some apples. One major difference is
that pears have "grit" - clusters of lignified cells[vague]. Pear trees and apple trees do have several visible differences. The pear and the apple are
also related to the quince.
There are about 30 primary species, major subspecies, and naturally occurring interspecific hybrids of pears.

Major recognized taxa [edit]

Pyrus amygdaliformis—Almond-leafed Pear

Pyrus armeniacifolia
Pyrus ebhardius
Pyrus boissieriana
Pyrus × bretschneideri—Chinese white pear; also classified as a subspecies of Pyrus pyrifolia
Pyrus calleryana—Callery Pear
Pyrus communis subsp. communis—European Pear (cultivars include Beurre d'Anjou, Bartlett and Beurre
Bosc) Vicar of Winkfield pear, a
Pyrus communis subsp. caucasica (syn. P. caucasica) heritage variety, no longer
Pyrus communis subsp. pyraster—Wild European Pear (syn. P. pyraster) commonly found, British Columbia,
Canada
Pyrus cordata—Plymouth Pear
Pyrus cossonii—Algerian Pear
Pyrus Ejiskipolipia-Paul
Pyrus dimorphophylla
Pyrus elaeagnifolia—Oleaster-leafed Pear
Pyrus fauriei
Pyrus gharbiana
Pyrus glabra
Pyrus hondoensis
Pyrus koehnei—Evergreen pear of southern China and Taiwan
Pyrus korshinskyi
Pyrus mamorensis
Pyrus nivalis—Snow Pear
Pyrus pashia—Afghan Pear
Pyrus ×phaeocarpa
Pyrus pseudopashia
Pyrus pyrifolia—Nashi Pear, Sha Li
Pyrus regelii
Pyrus salicifolia—Willow-leafed Pear
Pyrus × serrulata
Pyrus × sinkiangensis—thought to be an interspecific hybrid between P. ×bretschneideri, Pyrus
ussuriensis and Pyrus communis
Pyrus syriaca
Pyrus ussuriensis—Siberian Pear
Pyrus xerophila

Cultivation [edit]

The pear may be readily raised by sowing the pips (seeds) of ordinary cultivated or of wilding kinds, these forming what are known as free or pear
stocks, on which the choicer varieties are grafted for increase. For new varieties the flowers can be cross-bred to preserve or combine desirable
traits. The fruit of the pear is produced on spurs, which appear on shoots more than one year old.[citation needed]
Three species account for the vast majority of edible fruit production, the European Pear Pyrus communis subsp. communis cultivated mainly in
Europe and North America, the Chinese white pear (bai li) Pyrus ×bretschneideri, and the Nashi Pear Pyrus pyrifolia (also known as Asian Pear or
Apple Pear), both grown mainly in eastern Asia. There are thousands of cultivars of these three species. A species grown in western China, P.
sinkiangensis, and P. pashia, grown in southern China and south Asia, are also produced to a lesser degree.
Other species are used as rootstocks for European and Asian pears and as ornamental trees. The Siberian Pear, Pyrus ussuriensis (which
produces unpalatable fruit) has been crossed with Pyrus communis to breed hardier pear cultivars. The Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford')
in particular has become widespread in North America and is used only as an ornamental tree. The Willow-leafed Pear (Pyrus salicifolia) is grown
in particular has become widespread in North America and is used only as an ornamental tree. The Willow-leafed Pear (Pyrus salicifolia) is grown
for its attractive slender, densely silvery-hairy leaves.

Harvest [edit]

Summer and autumn pears are gathered before they are fully ripe, while they are still green, but snap off when lifted. If left to ripen and turn yellow
on the tree, the sugars will turn to starch crystals and the pear will have a gritty texture inside. In the case of the 'Passe Crassane', long the
favored winter pear in France, the crop should be gathered at three different times, the first a fortnight or more before it is ripe, the second a week
or ten days after that, and the third when fully ripe. The first gathering will come into eating latest, and thus the season of the fruit may be
considerably prolonged.

Diseases and pests [edit]

Main article: List of pear diseases

Main article: List of Lepidoptera that feed on pear trees

Production [edit]

Top ten pear producers — 11 June 2008

Country Production (tonnes) Footnote

 People's Republic of China 12625000 F

 Italy 840516

 United States 799180

 Spain 537400 Pear and quince output in 2005

 Argentina 520000 F

 South Korea 425000 F

 Turkey 349420

 Japan 325000 F

 South Africa 325000 F

 Netherlands 224000 F

 World 20105683 A
No symbol = official figure, P = official figure, F = FAO estimate, * = Unofficial/Semi-official/mirror data, C = Calculated

figure A = Aggregate (may include official, semi-official, or estimates);

Source: Food And Agricultural Organization of United Nations: Economic And Social Department: The Statistical
Devision

Uses [edit]

Pears are consumed fresh, canned, as juice, and dried. The juice can also be used in jellies and
Pear, raw
jams, usually in combination with other fruits or berries. Fermented pear juice is called perry or pear
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
cider.
Energy 60 kcal   240 kJ
Pears will ripen faster if placed next to bananas in a fruit bowl. They stay fresh longer if kept in a
Carbohydrates     15.46 g
fridge.[citation needed]
- Sugars  9.80 g
Pear wood is one of the preferred materials in the manufacture of high-quality woodwind instruments - Dietary fiber  3.1 g  
and furniture. It is also used for wood carving, and as a firewood to produce aromatic smoke for Fat 0g
smoking meat or tobacco. Protein 0.38 g
Thiamine (Vit. B1)  0.012 mg   1%
Health benefits [edit] Riboflavin (Vit. B2)  0.025 mg   2%
Niacin (Vit. B3)  0.157 mg   1%
Pears are rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, E1, copper and potassium[citation needed]. Pantothenic acid (B5)  0.048 mg 1%
Vitamin B6  0.028 mg 2%
Pears are less allergenic than many other fruits, and pear juice is therefore sometimes used as the Folate (Vit. B9)  7 μg  2%
first juice introduced to infants[6], but juice for infants is not recommended by some pediatricians[7]. Vitamin C  4.2 mg 7%
Pears are low in salicylates and benzoates and are therefore recommended in exclusion diets for Calcium  9 mg 1%
allergy sufferers[8]. Along with lamb and rice, pears may form part of the strictest exclusion diet for Iron  0.17 mg 1%
allergy sufferers[9] although allergies to these foods are possible[10][11][12]. Magnesium  7 mg 2% 
Phosphorus  11 mg 2%
Pears can be useful in treating inflammation of mucous membranes, colitis, chronic gallbladder
Potassium  119 mg   3%
disorders, arthritis, and gout. Pears can also be beneficial in lowering high blood pressure, Zinc  0.10 mg 1%
controlling blood cholesterol levels, and increasing urine acidity. They are good for the lungs and the
Percentages are relative to US
stomach.[citation needed] recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA Nutrient database
Most of the fiber is insoluble, making pears a good laxative. The gritty fiber content may cut down on
the number of cancerous colon polyps. Most of the vitamin C, as well as the dietary fiber, are
contained within the skin of the fruit.[13]

See also [edit]

List of culinary fruits

References [edit]

1. ^ a b Potter, D.; Eriksson, T.; Evans, R.C.; Oh, S.H.; Smedmark, J.E.E.; Morgan, D.R.; Kerr, M.; Robertson, K.R.; Arsenault, M.P.; Dickinson, T.A.;
Campbell, C.S. (2007). Phylogeny and classification of Rosaceae. Plant Systematics and Evolution. 266(1–2): 5–43.
2. ^ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
 2. ^ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
3. ^ Evelyn Cecil, A History of Gardening in England 2006:35ff
4. ^ Cecil 2006.
5. ^ ""Pear Fruit Facts Page Information", CE.CN ". Retrieved 2008-06-01.
6. ^ "The wonder of pears ". FreeDiets.
7. ^ P. Q. Samour, K. K. Helm, C. E. Lang (eds) 2003. Handbook of Pediatric Nutrition, second edition, Aspen Publishers, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD.
8. ^ A. R. Gibson, R. L. Clancy, 1978. An Australian exclusion diet, The Medical Journal of Australia 1:290:292
9. ^ A. Morris 2008 A Guide to Suspected Food Allergy, Surrey Allergy Clinic, U. K.
10. ^ wrongdiagnosis.com, rice allergy
11. ^ wrongdiagnosis.com, lamb allergy
12. ^ wrongdiagnosis.com, pear allergy
13. ^ Phyllis A. Balch, CNC/Prescription for dietary wellness.-2nd ed.

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

External links [edit]

USA Pears —descriptions of pear cultivars from a U.S. advocacy group.

Look up pear in Wiktionary, the
University of Georgia Pear Page —History of cultivation and commerce.
free dictionary.
Wild Pear, Pyrus pyraster Diagnostic photos, Morton Arboretum specimens
European pear varieties , description of Australian commercial pears
Wikimedia Commons has media
related to: Pears

Wikibooks Cookbook has a

recipe/module on
Pear

Categories: Pears | Flora of Asia | Flora of Europe | Pyrus

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