Pyrus betulaefolia

Pyrus betulaefolia, also known as the birch-leaved pear, is a species of pear native to China. It is a member of the Rosaceae family and the Pyrus genus.

Description

Pyrus betulaefolia is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 20 meters tall. The leaves are similar to those of a birch tree, hence the common name. The flowers are white and bloom in early spring, while the fruits are small and inedible.

Distribution and Habitat

Pyrus betulaefolia is native to China, specifically the provinces of Anhui, Gansu, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan, and Zhejiang. It grows in forests, forest margins, and slopes at elevations of 500–2800 meters.

Uses

While the fruit of Pyrus betulaefolia is not edible, the tree is often used as a rootstock for pear cultivation. It is resistant to pear decline, a disease that can affect pear trees, and it also imparts drought tolerance to the grafted pear variety.

Conservation Status

The conservation status of Pyrus betulaefolia is not currently evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

See Also

• List of Pyrus species
• Pear cultivation
• Pear decline