Origin: Southern Europe, Southwest Asia.
Botanical characteristics: It is a small perishable tree, 12-15 meters high, with columnar growth habit. It has a dark bark fissured into small square scales. Leaves are from oval to elliptical, acuminate, toothed, dark green and shiny, with deep colouring in autumn. In Spring, it blooms large white flowers gathered in corymbs, followed by globose or pyriform fruits, up to 15 cm long, yellowish-green and sweep when ripe.
Agronomic and environmental characteristics: It is supposed it has an hybrid origin, resulting from crosses between cultivated varieties and wild species. It was introduced in ancient times, cultivated throughout the territory up to 1000 meters above sea level. It grows well on all soils and tolerates drought and moisture. It resists pollution, too.
Use: It has been cultivated for fruit farm, orchards, vegetable gardens and gardens for a long time. It is also used for naturalization of brownfield and uncultivated areas.
