Japanese Quince
ExplorePlants
Japanese Quince
Chaenomeles japonica
Japanese Quince is a lovely shrub that blooms with bright flowers in spring. Its fruits are small and can be used to make tasty jams and jellies!
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Japanese Quince is a dense, thorny shrub known for its vibrant, cup-shaped flowers. These often appear in bright reds, oranges, and pinks, even before its leaves fully emerge. Its small, apple-like fruits ripen to a golden-yellow.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyRosaceaeGenusChaenomeles
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite its name, it's not a 'true' quince, but a close cousin from a different plant genus!
Its super tart fruits are packed with pectin, making them perfect for jellies!
Japanese Quince can be shaped into beautiful, miniature bonsai trees, even with its thorns!
Some varieties are so tough, they can bloom in winter, adding cheer to snowy gardens!
Special abilities
Ability
Thorny Defender
Japanese Quince has sharp thorns on its branches that help protect it from hungry animals seeking a snack.
Ability
Winter Wake-Up
This plant can bloom in very early spring, often while snow is still on the ground, attracting early pollinators.
Ability
Fruity Fueler
Its tart, fragrant fruits provide a valuable food source, especially for birds, during late fall.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 100-200 cm
- Spread
- 100-250 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-4 cm
- Bloom Season
- Early Spring (February-April)
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Pollinates early spring flowers.
eaten by
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelos
Birds eat the ripe, fallen fruits.
shelters
Hedge Accentor
Prunella modularis
Dense, thorny branches provide safe nesting sites.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always be careful around plants and avoid eating anything you find outside without asking an adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Japanese Quince?
100-200 cm
How wide does Japanese Quince spread?
100-250 cm
How big are the flowers on Japanese Quince?
2-4 cm
When does Japanese Quince bloom?
Early Spring (February-April)
Is Japanese Quince edible?
Yes
Is Japanese Quince toxic?
None
What is Japanese Quince's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Japanese Quince pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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