A small deciduous tree, growing 5-8 m tall and 4-6 m wide. The immature fruit is green, with dense grey-white pubescence which mostly (but not all) rubs off before maturity in late autumn when the fruit changes colour to yellow with hard flesh that is strongly perfumed. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, 6-11 cm 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 across, with five petals.

Astringent (stem bark); laxative, astringent and anti-inflammatory (seed); antivinous, astringent, cardiac, carminative, digestive, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, pectoral, peptic, refrigerant, restorative, stimulant and tonic (fruit)

Quince
Plants for a Future

Amygdalin, linoleic acid, malic acid, oleic acid, tannin, tartaric acid (seed); ascorbic acid, beta carotene, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, niacin, p-coumaric acid, riboflavin, thiamin (fruit)

For ulcers (stem bark); in the treatment of respiratory diseases, especially in children (seeds); as a mouthwash or gargle to treat mouth ulcers, gum problems and sore throats (fruit juice)