Chaenomeles

…A deciduous shrub of the rose family that grows to about 2-3 m in height (illustration). Native to China. It is planted in gardens for its pale pink flowers that bloom in spring, and is also widely used for cut flowers and bonsai. The alternate leaves are elliptical to oblong with fine sawtooth, and the branches have thorns. The flowers are 2-3 cm in diameter, sometimes over 5 cm, with oblong to round petals, many stamens, and five pistil styles. Cultivated varieties range from those with dense hairs on the lower part to those without. The elliptical, about 8 cm long fruit ripens to yellowish green or yellow, is fragrant, and is used under the name "motsuka" to treat digestive ailments. It also contains tartaric and malic acids, and is fragrant, so it is used in candied dishes and fruit wines. …

*Some of the terminology that mentions "Chaenomeles" is listed below.

Source | Heibonsha World Encyclopedia 2nd Edition | Information

…高さ2～3mほどになるバラ科の落葉低木（イラスト）。中国原産。春に咲く淡紅色の花を観賞するため庭園に植えられ，また切花や盆栽にも多用される。互生する葉は楕円形から長楕円形で，細かい鋸歯があり，枝にはとげがある。花は径2～3cm，ときには5cmを超え，花弁は長楕円形から円形，おしべは多数，めしべの花柱は5本で，園芸品種には下部に毛を密生するものから無毛のものまである。楕円形で，長さ8cmほどの果実は，黄緑色から黄色に熟し，芳香があり〈木瓜（もつか）〉の名で消化器系の病気に使われ，また酒石酸やリンゴ酸を含み，香りもよいので砂糖煮や果実酒にも使われる。…

※「Chaenomeles」について言及している用語解説の一部を掲載しています。

出典｜株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典 第２版について | 情報