Pyrus calleryana, or the Callery pear, is a species of pear tree native to China and Vietnam, in the family Rosaceae. It is most commonly known for its cultivar 'Bradford', widely planted throughout the United States and increasingly regarded as an invasive species.
Pyrus calleryana is deciduous, growing to 5 to 8 m tall, often with a conical to rounded crown. The leaves are oval, 4 to 8 cm long, glossy dark green above, on long pedicels that make them flash their slightly paler undersides in a breeze. The white, five-petaled flowers are about 2 to 2.5 cm in diameter. They are produced abundantly in early spring, before the leaves expand fully. Many people find the odour of the flowers objectionable, finding it a little fishy...
The inedible fruits of the Callery pear are small (less than one cm in diameter), and hard, almost woody, until softened by frost, after which they are readily taken by birds, which disperse the seeds in their droppings.
In summer, the shining foliage is dark green and very smooth, and in autumn the leaves commonly turn brilliant colours, ranging from yellow and orange to more commonly red, pink, purple, and bronze. However, since the colour often develops very late in autumn, the leaves may be killed by a hard frost before full colour can develop.
This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.
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ReplyDeleteHow interesting. At least, it's pretty when it's in bloom. Such a shame it's invasive.
ReplyDeleteThanks for choosing to share your link this week at 'My Corner of the World'!