Cydonia oblonga
| Quince | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Cydonia oblonga fruit and tree | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Subfamily: | Amygdaloideae |
| Tribe: | Maleae |
| Subtribe: | Malinae |
| Genus: |
Cydonia Mill. |
| Species: | C. oblonga |
| Binomial name | |
|
Cydonia oblonga Mill. |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
C. vulgaris |
|
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 238 kJ (57 kcal) |
|
15.3 g
|
|
| Dietary fiber | 1.9 g |
|
0.1 g
|
|
|
0.4 g
|
|
| Vitamins | |
| Thiamine (B1) |
(2%)
0.02 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) |
(3%)
0.03 mg |
| Niacin (B3) |
(1%)
0.2 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) |
(2%)
0.081 mg |
| Vitamin B6 |
(3%)
0.04 mg |
| Folate (B9) |
(1%)
3 μg |
| Vitamin C |
(18%)
15 mg |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium |
(1%)
11 mg |
| Iron |
(5%)
0.7 mg |
| Magnesium |
(2%)
8 mg |
| Phosphorus |
(2%)
17 mg |
| Potassium |
(4%)
197 mg |
| Sodium |
(0%)
4 mg |
| Zinc |
(0%)
0.04 mg |
|
|
|
|
|
| Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database |
|
C. vulgaris
The quince (/ˈkwɪns/; Cydonia oblonga) is the sole member of the genus Cydonia in the family Rosaceae (which also contains apples and pears, among other fruits). It is a deciduous tree that bears a pome fruit, similar in appearance to a pear, and bright golden-yellow when mature. Throughout history the cooked fruit has been used as food, but the tree is also grown for its attractive pale pink blossoms and other ornamental qualities.
The tree grows 5 to 8 m (16 to 26 ft) high and 4 to 6 m (13 to 20 ft) wide. The fruit is 7 to 12 cm (3 to 5 in) long and 6 to 9 cm (2 to 4 in) across.
The immature fruit is green with dense grey-white fine hair, most of which rubs off before maturity in late autumn when the fruit changes color to yellow with hard, strongly perfumed flesh. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, 6–11 cm (2–4 in) long, with an entire margin and densely pubescent with fine white hairs. The flowers, produced in spring after the leaves, are white or pink, 5 cm (2 in) across, with five petals.
The seeds contain nitriles, which are common in seeds of the rose family. In the stomach, enzymes or stomach acid or both cause some of the nitriles to be hydrolyzed and produce hydrogen cyanide, which is a volatile gas. The seeds are only likely to be toxic if a large quantity is eaten.
Four other species previously included in the genus Cydonia are now treated in separate genera. These are Pseudocydonia sinensis and the three flowering quinces of eastern Asia in the genus Chaenomeles. Another unrelated fruit, the bael, is sometimes called the "Bengal quince".
...
Wikipedia