Asian pear

Asian pear - Photo by acloudman

The Asian pear originates from China, Japan and Korea but is now also cultivated outside Asia.

The Asian pear (or Nashi pear) is sometimes called ‘Apple pear’, but it is not a cross between apples and pears, as this name suggests. It’s a pear that rather looks like an apple.

Names

Scientific
   Pyrus pyrifolia
English
   Apple pear
   Asian pear
   Chinese pear
   Japanese pear
   Korean pear
   Nashi pear
   Sand pear
   Taiwan pear
Dutch
   Aziatische peer
   Nashi-peer
   Zandpeer
Spanish
   Nashi
   Pera asiática
   Pera coreana
   Pera de arena
   Pera de Taiwán
   Pera japonesa
   Pera manzana
   Pera nash
   Pera oriental
French
   Nachi
   Nashi
   Poire asiatique
   Poire cristal
   Poire des sables
   Poire japonaise
   Pomme-poire
German
   Apfel-Birne
   Asiatische Birne
   Chinesische Birne
   Japanische Birne
   Koreanische Birne
   Kumoi
   Nashi
   Nashi-Birne
Italian
   Nashi
   Pera-mela

Taxonomy

Genus
   Pyrus
Family
   Rosaceae
Order
   Rosales

Basic information and facts

Origin:

The Asian pear originates from China, Japan and Korea.

Distribution:

Asian pears are cultivated in East Asia (Japan, Korea, China, India, Nepal, etc.) but are now also grown in other countries outside Asia, including USA, Cyprus, Chili, New Zealand and Australia.

Deciduous or evergreen:

Deciduous

Flowers:

The white flowers of the Asian pear are a beautiful sight in early spring.

Leaves:

Fruits:

Asian pears do not have a pear-shape but rather look like large apples.There are two types, with a brownish-yellow color (Akanashi)and with a yellow-green color (Aonashi). The fruits are crisp and juicy like apples but have a different texture.

Climate and weather:

These trees are cultivated in temperate climates.

Pollination:

The trees are pollinated by bees. While Asian pears are partially self-fruitful, better fruit production is obtained when two or more cultivars are planted together.

Height:

Spacing:

Spacings used range from 2.25 x 4.5 meters to 4.5 x 6 meters.

Propagation:

Asian pears are usually propagated by grafting onto other Pyrus species.

Insect pests:

Codling moth (Carpocapsa pomonella) and some other pests including Pear psylla (Psylla pyricola) and two-spotted spidermites.

Diseases:

Fire blight, bacterial canker, crown rot.

Harvesting:

Hand picking of fruits when they are fully ripe. They can be kept for several months in cool storage.

Uses:

Asian pears are used fresh as a hand fruit.

Crop categories

Fruits
Food crops
Temperate crops

Pictures