Japanese flowering-quince

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Japanese flowering quince
• Japanese-quince
• flowering-quince
• Japanese Quince

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chaenomeles alpina
• Chaenomeles japonica f. tricolor
• Chaenomeles maulei
• Chaenomeles japonica var. maulei
• Chaenomeles japonica f. plena
• Pyrus japonica wilsonii
• Cydonia japonica var. grandiflora
• Cydonia japonica mallardii
• Chaenomeles cardinalis var. alba
• Chaenomeles japonica var. alpina
• Chaenomeles maulei var. sargentii
• Pyrus maulei
• Pseudochaenomeles maulei
• Chaenomeles maulei var. alba
• Chaenomeles maulei var. alpina
• Chaenomeles japonica var. mallardii
• Chaenomeles japonica var. pygmaea
• Chaenomeles japonica f. tortuosa
• Chaenomeles japonica var. tricolor
• Chaenomeles japonica f. alba
• Chaenomeles trichogyna
• Cydonia japonica
• Cydonia japonica var. alba
• Cydonia japonica var. atrosanguineaplena
• Cydonia japonica var. candida
• Cydonia japonica var. cardinalis
• Cydonia japonica var. roseaplena
• Cydonia japonica var. rubragrandiflora
• Cydonia japonica var. sanguineaplena
• Cydonia japonica tricolor
• Cydonia japonica var. umbilicata
• Cydonia japonica var. wilsonii
• Cydonia maulei var. tricolor
• Cydonia maulei
• Cydonia maulei var. alpina
• Cydonia sargentii
• Aronia japonica
• Chaenomeles maulei var. tricolor
• Pyrus japonica
• Pyrus japonica alpina
• Chaenomeles maulei var. tortuosa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Rosales, falling within the family Rosaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Chaenomeles, specifically as the species Chaenomeles japonica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse distribution across several key regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be identified within the borders of Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is found spanning across Germany, Poland, and Switzerland. Additionally, its range extends into Southwestern Europe, specifically within France. Together, these locations define the established geographical footprint of Chaenomeles japonica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Chaenomeles japonica is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the species exhibits a complex life form profile, functioning as a nanophanerophyte, which indicates that its persistent buds are located very close to the ground level, often protected by minimal surface vegetation or litter. Additionally, its biological classification encompasses traits of a phanerophyte, reflecting its ability to maintain visible, woody, or persistent shoot systems that contribute to its long-term survival in its natural habitat.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Chaenomeles japonica is characterized by a woody, shrub-like growth form that functions as a self-supporting plant. It is a terrestrial species that operates independently, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits variable height, typically ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1 m, with an average plant height of approximately 1.7 m. As a self-supporting shrub, it does not require external structures for climbing, such as lianas or vines, maintaining a stable and upright structure.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

1.7 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Chaenomeles japonica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant's vegetative morphology is defined by specific foliar dimensions that support its metabolic functions, with leaf length typically ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a mean of 4 cm, reaching a maximum of 5 cm. Complementing these longitudinal measurements, the leaf width varies from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 3 cm, providing a structured surface area optimized for light interception and gas exchange within its physiological framework.

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length mean:

4 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Chaenomeles japonica is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering period and the production of small, delicate reproductive structures. The flowering cycle typically commences in April and concludes in May, though the timing can be variable across different environments. During this period, the plant produces flowers that range in length from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. Following pollination, the plant develops small fruits that are relatively uniform in size; these fruits possess an average length of 0.35 cm (ranging from 0.3 cm to 0.4 cm) and an average width of 0.35 cm (ranging from 0.3 cm to 0.4 cm). The seeds produced are notably lightweight and consistent in mass, with a mean, minimum, and maximum seed mass all recorded at 0.04 g.

Flower length max:

4 cm

Flower length min:

2.5 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.35 cm

Fruit length min:

0.3 cm

Fruit width max:

0.4 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.35 cm

Fruit width min:

0.3 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Chaenomeles japonica has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, root.

Fruit

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Root

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Chaenomeles japonica has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-O-Acetyl ursolic acid, 3-O-acetyl pomolic acid, ARSENIC, CALCIUM, COPPER.

3-O-Acetyl ursolic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

3-O-acetyl pomolic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

ARSENIC

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke

Epigallocatechin

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Archives of pharmacal research

HCN

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

MAGNESIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Chaenomeles japonica has 191 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antitumor, ACE-Inhibitor.

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Archives of pharmacal research

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Archives of pharmacal research

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Archives of pharmacal research

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Archives of pharmacal research

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acidifier

1. Dr. Duke

Additive

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Amylase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Chaenomeles japonica has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include arthritis, beriberi, cholera, dysentery, enteritis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations