Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In message , Sacha
writes
On 1/12/07 20:01, in article , "bof"
wrote:

In message , Sacha
writes
Over on uk.rec.gardening, we're trying to identify this mysterious fruit
which we were given a couple of days ago. It is growing on a bush in a
garden near Bristol:

They smell very faintly citrusy to me and each seed chamber has two seeds in
each side. She's not a gardener so can only tell me that the leaves are
leaf shaped, not huge, not leathery and that the fruits are autumnal.
http://i16.tinypic.com/7x8rupj.jpg

Here's another pic of it cut across the fruit. You can see the indentations
of the ridges clearly. As I say, it's about the size of a chestnut and a
little reminiscent of one when peeled and cooked.
http://i4.tinypic.com/7yofkfd.jpg

It looks very quince like, and it's the right time of year for a bush
full of yellow fruit. The major difference to the quince here is the
regular deep grooving of the outside. Is the bush spiky? Is the skin
waxy? does it smell 'perfumed'?

I think we've pretty much done the 'is it quince' (Chaenomeles or Cydonia)
on urg and if it is, nobody can get to it. As you so rightly say, it's the
grooving that stumps everyone. My friend describes it as looking exactly
like a small (chestnut sized) pumpkin. One person has said it seems more
likely to be of the Pomoceae family because of the seed arrangement. I'm
totally stumped by it but so, it seems, is everyone else. To us, it has a
faint citrus smell so one sort of contradicts the other. It's peculiar
because while fresh it smells more citrus-y but as it shrivels and dries out
it's beginning to smell like apples going off!

All that sounds like the bush I have that was identified as a
Japonica/Japanese quince by a knowledgeable source. Having just braved
the wind and rain here's what the fruit off mine looks like:

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h222/bofphoto/00f1c46a.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h222/bofphoto/108fc07f.jpg

not such regular pronounced ridging but it's definitely there.

Makes fantastic aromatic jelly (after a lot of effort) and has a
wonderful display of strong pink blossom in the spring and the beautiful
bright yellow fruit in the autumn. But also has lethal thorns that leave
me covered in cuts and scratches after a pruning session.

FYI it roots really easily from woody cuttings and the seeds seems to
sprout readily if the fruit is just left on the ground over winter.

It's my favourite plant in the garden, I inherited it as a largish bush
when I bought a house and take a cutting with me when I move.

(x-post added to urg)


--
bof at bof dot me dot uk

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

On 2/12/07 11:09, in article , "bof"
wrote:

In message , Sacha
writes
On 1/12/07 20:01, in article , "bof"
wrote:

In message , Sacha
writes
Over on uk.rec.gardening, we're trying to identify this mysterious fruit
which we were given a couple of days ago. It is growing on a bush in a
garden near Bristol:

They smell very faintly citrusy to me and each seed chamber has two seeds
in
each side. She's not a gardener so can only tell me that the leaves are
leaf shaped, not huge, not leathery and that the fruits are autumnal.
http://i16.tinypic.com/7x8rupj.jpg

Here's another pic of it cut across the fruit. You can see the
indentations
of the ridges clearly. As I say, it's about the size of a chestnut and a
little reminiscent of one when peeled and cooked.
http://i4.tinypic.com/7yofkfd.jpg

It looks very quince like, and it's the right time of year for a bush
full of yellow fruit. The major difference to the quince here is the
regular deep grooving of the outside. Is the bush spiky? Is the skin
waxy? does it smell 'perfumed'?

I think we've pretty much done the 'is it quince' (Chaenomeles or Cydonia)
on urg and if it is, nobody can get to it. As you so rightly say, it's the
grooving that stumps everyone. My friend describes it as looking exactly
like a small (chestnut sized) pumpkin. One person has said it seems more
likely to be of the Pomoceae family because of the seed arrangement. I'm
totally stumped by it but so, it seems, is everyone else. To us, it has a
faint citrus smell so one sort of contradicts the other. It's peculiar
because while fresh it smells more citrus-y but as it shrivels and dries out
it's beginning to smell like apples going off!

All that sounds like the bush I have that was identified as a
Japonica/Japanese quince by a knowledgeable source. Having just braved
the wind and rain here's what the fruit off mine looks like:

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h222/bofphoto/00f1c46a.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h222/bofphoto/108fc07f.jpg

not such regular pronounced ridging but it's definitely there.

Makes fantastic aromatic jelly (after a lot of effort) and has a
wonderful display of strong pink blossom in the spring and the beautiful
bright yellow fruit in the autumn. But also has lethal thorns that leave
me covered in cuts and scratches after a pruning session.

FYI it roots really easily from woody cuttings and the seeds seems to
sprout readily if the fruit is just left on the ground over winter.

It's my favourite plant in the garden, I inherited it as a largish bush
when I bought a house and take a cutting with me when I move.

(x-post added to urg)

Sorry but no, that's not it. The ridges are neither regular enough, nor
pronounced enough. We have a Chaenomeles on the wall outside the front of
the house and I've had a look at that one, too. My friend says it looks
like a minute pumpkin, which is a very good description. Ray thinks it
looks like a small (as in teeny) Satsuma once peeled and of course without
the white pith etc.

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove weeds from address)
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

"Sacha" wrote in message
On 2/12/07 11:09, in article , "bof"
wrote:

All that sounds like the bush I have that was identified as a
Japonica/Japanese quince by a knowledgeable source. Having just braved
the wind and rain here's what the fruit off mine looks like:

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h222/bofphoto/00f1c46a.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h222/bofphoto/108fc07f.jpg

not such regular pronounced ridging but it's definitely there.

Sorry but no, that's not it. The ridges are neither regular enough, nor
pronounced enough. We have a Chaenomeles on the wall outside the front of
the house and I've had a look at that one, too. My friend says it looks
like a minute pumpkin, which is a very good description. Ray thinks it
looks like a small (as in teeny) Satsuma once peeled and of course without
the white pith etc.

The photo that bof gives does look suspiciously similar to the pic your
posted.

Since the lady who is asking you to identify the plant walks past the plant
each day, can't she nick a bit of the foliage and give it to you?

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In message , Sacha
writes
On 2/12/07 11:09, in article , "bof"
wrote:

In message , Sacha
writes
On 1/12/07 20:01, in article , "bof"
wrote:

In message , Sacha
writes
Over on uk.rec.gardening, we're trying to identify this mysterious fruit
which we were given a couple of days ago. It is growing on a bush in a
garden near Bristol:

They smell very faintly citrusy to me and each seed chamber has two seeds
in
each side. She's not a gardener so can only tell me that the leaves are
leaf shaped, not huge, not leathery and that the fruits are autumnal.
http://i16.tinypic.com/7x8rupj.jpg

Here's another pic of it cut across the fruit. You can see the
indentations
of the ridges clearly. As I say, it's about the size of a chestnut and a
little reminiscent of one when peeled and cooked.
http://i4.tinypic.com/7yofkfd.jpg

It looks very quince like, and it's the right time of year for a bush
full of yellow fruit. The major difference to the quince here is the
regular deep grooving of the outside. Is the bush spiky? Is the skin
waxy? does it smell 'perfumed'?

I think we've pretty much done the 'is it quince' (Chaenomeles or Cydonia)
on urg and if it is, nobody can get to it. As you so rightly say, it's the
grooving that stumps everyone. My friend describes it as looking exactly
like a small (chestnut sized) pumpkin. One person has said it seems more
likely to be of the Pomoceae family because of the seed arrangement. I'm
totally stumped by it but so, it seems, is everyone else. To us, it has a
faint citrus smell so one sort of contradicts the other. It's peculiar
because while fresh it smells more citrus-y but as it shrivels and dries out
it's beginning to smell like apples going off!

All that sounds like the bush I have that was identified as a
Japonica/Japanese quince by a knowledgeable source. Having just braved
the wind and rain here's what the fruit off mine looks like:

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h222/bofphoto/00f1c46a.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h222/bofphoto/108fc07f.jpg

not such regular pronounced ridging but it's definitely there.

Makes fantastic aromatic jelly (after a lot of effort) and has a
wonderful display of strong pink blossom in the spring and the beautiful
bright yellow fruit in the autumn. But also has lethal thorns that leave
me covered in cuts and scratches after a pruning session.

FYI it roots really easily from woody cuttings and the seeds seems to
sprout readily if the fruit is just left on the ground over winter.

It's my favourite plant in the garden, I inherited it as a largish bush
when I bought a house and take a cutting with me when I move.

(x-post added to urg)

Sorry but no, that's not it. The ridges are neither regular enough, nor
pronounced enough. We have a Chaenomeles on the wall outside the front of
the house and I've had a look at that one, too. My friend says it looks
like a minute pumpkin, which is a very good description. Ray thinks it
looks like a small (as in teeny) Satsuma once peeled and of course without
the white pith etc.


How about this:
http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/Chaenomeles_sp.htm
there's a couple photos of unripe fruit at the bottom of the page which
are much closer.


--
bof at bof dot me dot uk

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

On 2/12/07 15:33, in article , "bof"
wrote:

In message , Sacha
writes
On 2/12/07 11:09, in article , "bof"
wrote:

In message , Sacha
writes
On 1/12/07 20:01, in article , "bof"
wrote:

In message , Sacha
writes
Over on uk.rec.gardening, we're trying to identify this mysterious fruit
which we were given a couple of days ago. It is growing on a bush in a
garden near Bristol:

They smell very faintly citrusy to me and each seed chamber has two seeds
in
each side. She's not a gardener so can only tell me that the leaves are
leaf shaped, not huge, not leathery and that the fruits are autumnal.
http://i16.tinypic.com/7x8rupj.jpg

Here's another pic of it cut across the fruit. You can see the
indentations
of the ridges clearly. As I say, it's about the size of a chestnut and a
little reminiscent of one when peeled and cooked.
http://i4.tinypic.com/7yofkfd.jpg

It looks very quince like, and it's the right time of year for a bush
full of yellow fruit. The major difference to the quince here is the
regular deep grooving of the outside. Is the bush spiky? Is the skin
waxy? does it smell 'perfumed'?

I think we've pretty much done the 'is it quince' (Chaenomeles or Cydonia)
on urg and if it is, nobody can get to it. As you so rightly say, it's the
grooving that stumps everyone. My friend describes it as looking exactly
like a small (chestnut sized) pumpkin. One person has said it seems more
likely to be of the Pomoceae family because of the seed arrangement. I'm
totally stumped by it but so, it seems, is everyone else. To us, it has a
faint citrus smell so one sort of contradicts the other. It's peculiar
because while fresh it smells more citrus-y but as it shrivels and dries
out
it's beginning to smell like apples going off!

All that sounds like the bush I have that was identified as a
Japonica/Japanese quince by a knowledgeable source. Having just braved
the wind and rain here's what the fruit off mine looks like:

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h222/bofphoto/00f1c46a.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h222/bofphoto/108fc07f.jpg

not such regular pronounced ridging but it's definitely there.

Makes fantastic aromatic jelly (after a lot of effort) and has a
wonderful display of strong pink blossom in the spring and the beautiful
bright yellow fruit in the autumn. But also has lethal thorns that leave
me covered in cuts and scratches after a pruning session.

FYI it roots really easily from woody cuttings and the seeds seems to
sprout readily if the fruit is just left on the ground over winter.

It's my favourite plant in the garden, I inherited it as a largish bush
when I bought a house and take a cutting with me when I move.

(x-post added to urg)

Sorry but no, that's not it. The ridges are neither regular enough, nor
pronounced enough. We have a Chaenomeles on the wall outside the front of
the house and I've had a look at that one, too. My friend says it looks
like a minute pumpkin, which is a very good description. Ray thinks it
looks like a small (as in teeny) Satsuma once peeled and of course without
the white pith etc.


How about this:
http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/Chaenomeles_sp.htm
there's a couple photos of unripe fruit at the bottom of the page which
are much closer.

No, the shape is much more 'squashed' looking and the ridges absolutely
regular - at least on the two we were given.

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove weeds from address)
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

On 2/12/07 15:05, in article
, "FarmI"
ask@itshall be given wrote:

"Sacha" wrote in message
On 2/12/07 11:09, in article , "bof"
wrote:

All that sounds like the bush I have that was identified as a
Japonica/Japanese quince by a knowledgeable source. Having just braved
the wind and rain here's what the fruit off mine looks like:

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h222/bofphoto/00f1c46a.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h222/bofphoto/108fc07f.jpg

not such regular pronounced ridging but it's definitely there.

Sorry but no, that's not it. The ridges are neither regular enough, nor
pronounced enough. We have a Chaenomeles on the wall outside the front of
the house and I've had a look at that one, too. My friend says it looks
like a minute pumpkin, which is a very good description. Ray thinks it
looks like a small (as in teeny) Satsuma once peeled and of course without
the white pith etc.

The photo that bof gives does look suspiciously similar to the pic your
posted.

Since the lady who is asking you to identify the plant walks past the plant
each day, can't she nick a bit of the foliage and give it to you?


They're going to ask about it with the owner and photograph it, too, when
the weather permits. It's been really vile in the west country, so I hope
everyone and their garden has survived unscathed!

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove weeds from address)
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'

Found it. Solanum integrifolium. they come in green red or yellow

http://www.gardenersnet.com/artwork/pumpkinstick_10.jpg

http://www.pumpkinnook.com/howto/pumpkinonastick.htm

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

"Sacha" wrote in message
. uk...
On 2/12/07 15:33, in article , "bof"

Coming in rather late - I wonder if it is a variety of Loquat, Eriobotrya
japonica. I know the typical fruit is not grooved, hence the suggestion
that it's a variety. The stucture is similar.
Graham

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

On 2/12/07 20:10, in article WiE4j.87755$cD.32967@pd7urf2no, "graham"
wrote:


"Sacha" wrote in message
. uk...
On 2/12/07 15:33, in article , "bof"

Coming in rather late - I wonder if it is a variety of Loquat, Eriobotrya
japonica. I know the typical fruit is not grooved, hence the suggestion
that it's a variety. The stucture is similar.
Graham


Thanks for the suggestion, Graham but those don't fit the bill. These are SO
regularly and distinctly segmented that there doesn't seem (to my untutored
eye) to be any room for manoeuvre, to be honest. They are squat, rather
than oblong, the segmentation is very distinct and in fact, is becoming more
so as they desiccate. The dried up, sad looking sample I have on my desk
now is probably about the size of a 10p piece, or a less and it was the
smallest of the two we were given.

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove weeds from address)
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

graham wrote:

"Sacha" wrote in message
. uk...
On 2/12/07 15:33, in article , "bof"

Coming in rather late - I wonder if it is a variety of Loquat, Eriobotrya
japonica. I know the typical fruit is not grooved, hence the suggestion
that it's a variety. The stucture is similar.

That was my first thought, actually, but the seeds seemed too small to
me for that.

--
(*) ... of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate
http://www.davidhorne.net - real address on website
"He can't be as stupid as he looks, but nevertheless he probably
is quite a stupid man." Richard Dawkins on Pres. Bush"

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In message WiE4j.87755$cD.32967@pd7urf2no, graham
writes

"Sacha" wrote in message
.uk...
On 2/12/07 15:33, in article , "bof"

Coming in rather late - I wonder if it is a variety of Loquat, Eriobotrya
japonica. I know the typical fruit is not grooved, hence the suggestion
that it's a variety. The stucture is similar.
Graham

I looked into that as a possibility when the image was first shown.
Eriobotrya has persistent sepals at the apex of the fruit, and the
fruits are smaller (1/2" in diameter). (The last applies to the wild
type; it may be that there are cultivars with larger fruits.)
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In article WiE4j.87755$cD.32967@pd7urf2no, says...

"Sacha" wrote in message
. uk...
On 2/12/07 15:33, in article , "bof"

Coming in rather late - I wonder if it is a variety of Loquat, Eriobotrya
japonica. I know the typical fruit is not grooved, hence the suggestion
that it's a variety. The stucture is similar.
Graham



Although the fruit may have some similarities they have large evergreen
leaves so you would have thought would have been mentioned, the original
description sounded like the "pumpkins" were spread over bare branches.
--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and
Lapageria rosea

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In message , Charlie
Pridham writes
In article WiE4j.87755$cD.32967@pd7urf2no, says...

"Sacha" wrote in message
. uk...
On 2/12/07 15:33, in article , "bof"

Coming in rather late - I wonder if it is a variety of Loquat, Eriobotrya
japonica. I know the typical fruit is not grooved, hence the suggestion
that it's a variety. The stucture is similar.
Graham



Although the fruit may have some similarities they have large evergreen
leaves so you would have thought would have been mentioned, the original
description sounded like the "pumpkins" were spread over bare branches.
It certainly sounds possibly that it may be some sort of japonica to me
- mine produces red fruit (which are poisonous) but to have them at this
time of year is a bit of a mystery. Ii have not researched japonicas
but mine flowers in spring and the fruit is a result. It's all over by
May. It is strange that I have nothing in either the RHS books or
cookery books.

PS Note for limey and Sacha - as a result of looking I have found my
Sarah Brown Vegetarian Cookery book - Oh joy!
--
June Hughes

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

On 3/12/07 08:24, in article ,
"Charlie Pridham" wrote:

In article WiE4j.87755$cD.32967@pd7urf2no, says...

"Sacha" wrote in message
. uk...
On 2/12/07 15:33, in article , "bof"

Coming in rather late - I wonder if it is a variety of Loquat, Eriobotrya
japonica. I know the typical fruit is not grooved, hence the suggestion
that it's a variety. The stucture is similar.
Graham



Although the fruit may have some similarities they have large evergreen
leaves so you would have thought would have been mentioned, the original
description sounded like the "pumpkins" were spread over bare branches.

I emailed the Solanum description and a pic to my 'informants', so I'll let
you all know. I could only tell you what I was told, I'm afraid!
--
Sacha

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

On 3/12/07 08:42, in article , "June
Hughes" wrote:

In message , Charlie
Pridham writes
In article WiE4j.87755$cD.32967@pd7urf2no, says...

"Sacha" wrote in message
. uk...
On 2/12/07 15:33, in article , "bof"

Coming in rather late - I wonder if it is a variety of Loquat, Eriobotrya
japonica. I know the typical fruit is not grooved, hence the suggestion
that it's a variety. The stucture is similar.
Graham



Although the fruit may have some similarities they have large evergreen
leaves so you would have thought would have been mentioned, the original
description sounded like the "pumpkins" were spread over bare branches.
It certainly sounds possibly that it may be some sort of japonica to me
- mine produces red fruit (which are poisonous) but to have them at this
time of year is a bit of a mystery. Ii have not researched japonicas
but mine flowers in spring and the fruit is a result. It's all over by
May. It is strange that I have nothing in either the RHS books or
cookery books.

PS Note for limey and Sacha - as a result of looking I have found my
Sarah Brown Vegetarian Cookery book - Oh joy!

Every cloud.......
--
Sacha

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In article ,
June Hughes writes:
|
| It certainly sounds possibly that it may be some sort of japonica to me
| - mine produces red fruit (which are poisonous) but to have them at this
| time of year is a bit of a mystery. Ii have not researched japonicas
| but mine flowers in spring and the fruit is a result. It's all over by
| May. It is strange that I have nothing in either the RHS books or
| cookery books.

Eh? "japonica" is a species name. It is normally used for Chaenomeles
japonica (or C. speciosa or C. x superba), the Japanese quince, and
the fruit are normal at this time of year and most definitely NOT at
all poisonous.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

June Hughes wrote:

PS Note for limey and Sacha - as a result of looking I have found my
Sarah Brown Vegetarian Cookery book - Oh joy!

Joy, indeed!

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In message , Nick Maclaren
writes

In article ,
June Hughes writes:
|
| It certainly sounds possibly that it may be some sort of japonica to me
| - mine produces red fruit (which are poisonous) but to have them at this
| time of year is a bit of a mystery. Ii have not researched japonicas
| but mine flowers in spring and the fruit is a result. It's all over by
| May. It is strange that I have nothing in either the RHS books or
| cookery books.

Eh? "japonica" is a species name. It is normally used for Chaenomeles
japonica (or C. speciosa or C. x superba), the Japanese quince, and
the fruit are normal at this time of year and most definitely NOT at
all poisonous.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.
I didn't say japonicas were all poisonous. I said it may be some sort
of japonica and that the fruit from mine is poisonous. Please try and
read what is said and please do not shout.

Regards to you too.
--
June Hughes

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In message , limey
writes
June Hughes wrote:
PS Note for limey and Sacha - as a result of looking I have found
my
Sarah Brown Vegetarian Cookery book - Oh joy!

Joy, indeed!
Thanks Dora. The downside is, I have a cold and can't taste anything.
--
June Hughes

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In article ,
June Hughes writes:
|
| | It certainly sounds possibly that it may be some sort of japonica to me
| | - mine produces red fruit (which are poisonous) but to have them at this
| | time of year is a bit of a mystery. Ii have not researched japonicas
| | but mine flowers in spring and the fruit is a result. It's all over by
| | May. It is strange that I have nothing in either the RHS books or
| | cookery books.
|
| Eh? "japonica" is a species name. It is normally used for Chaenomeles
| japonica (or C. speciosa or C. x superba), the Japanese quince, and
| the fruit are normal at this time of year and most definitely NOT at
| all poisonous.
|
| I didn't say japonicas were all poisonous. I said it may be some sort
| of japonica and that the fruit from mine is poisonous. Please try and
| read what is said and please do not shout.

You were and are very confused - I will try once more to try to
reduce your confusion.

"Some sort of japonica", in normal usage, can mean only one of the
Chaenomeles. Japonica as the name of a group of plants means that
and nothing else.

While I can grasp the concept of someone categorising all plants
with "japonica" as a specific epithet in a group, it makes no sense
in gardening terms. You would be classifying Paeonia japonica
together with Chaenomeles japonica, for a start.

I don't know what you mean by "some sort of japonica", if you don't
mean Chaenomeles and include something with poisonous fruit, and I
doubt that many other people will, either.

And I recommend reading "Tristram Shandy", for an education into
traditional English typographic conventions.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

Following up to (Nick Maclaren) wrote:

"Some sort of japonica", in normal usage, can mean only one of the
Chaenomeles. Japonica as the name of a group of plants means that
and nothing else.

are there not various "japanese" quinces? I understood the meaning to
be that. I had an ormamental one in the garden for a time.
--
Mike
Remove clothing to email

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

Following up to (Nick Maclaren) wrote:

And I recommend reading "Tristram Shandy", for an education into
traditional English typographic conventions.

and i recommend you read a book on charm and good manners.
--
Mike
Remove clothing to email

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In message , Mike....
writes
Following up to (Nick Maclaren) wrote:

"Some sort of japonica", in normal usage, can mean only one of the
Chaenomeles. Japonica as the name of a group of plants means that
and nothing else.

are there not various "japanese" quinces? I understood the meaning to
be that. I had an ormamental one in the garden for a time.

Yes, there are "japanese" quinces. They just happen to be identical to
the plants of genus Chaenomeles. (And they're not poisonous.)

My guess is that June is thinking of Camellia japonica, which does have
fruits of roughly the right shape and size.
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In message , Nick Maclaren
writes

In article ,
June Hughes writes:
|
| | It certainly sounds possibly that it may be some sort of japonica to me
| | - mine produces red fruit (which are poisonous) but to have them at this
| | time of year is a bit of a mystery. Ii have not researched japonicas
| | but mine flowers in spring and the fruit is a result. It's all over by
| | May. It is strange that I have nothing in either the RHS books or
| | cookery books.
|
| Eh? "japonica" is a species name. It is normally used for Chaenomeles
| japonica (or C. speciosa or C. x superba), the Japanese quince, and
| the fruit are normal at this time of year and most definitely NOT at
| all poisonous.
|
| I didn't say japonicas were all poisonous. I said it may be some sort
| of japonica and that the fruit from mine is poisonous. Please try and
| read what is said and please do not shout.

You were and are very confused - I will try once more to try to
reduce your confusion.

"Some sort of japonica", in normal usage, can mean only one of the
Chaenomeles. Japonica as the name of a group of plants means that
and nothing else.

While I can grasp the concept of someone categorising all plants
with "japonica" as a specific epithet in a group, it makes no sense
in gardening terms. You would be classifying Paeonia japonica
together with Chaenomeles japonica, for a start.

I don't know what you mean by "some sort of japonica", if you don't
mean Chaenomeles and include something with poisonous fruit, and I
doubt that many other people will, either.

And I recommend reading "Tristram Shandy", for an education into
traditional English typographic conventions.

I recommend you learn to be a bit more civil. Pompous is not the word
for you. And BTW, I have read Tristram Shandy. Perhaps you should read
a book on good manners. There are several on the market.

Goodbye.

--
June Hughes

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In message , Stewart Robert Hinsley
writes
In message , Mike....
writes
Following up to (Nick Maclaren) wrote:

"Some sort of japonica", in normal usage, can mean only one of the
Chaenomeles. Japonica as the name of a group of plants means that
and nothing else.

are there not various "japanese" quinces? I understood the meaning to
be that. I had an ormamental one in the garden for a time.

Yes, there are "japanese" quinces. They just happen to be identical to
the plants of genus Chaenomeles. (And they're not poisonous.)

My guess is that June is thinking of Camellia japonica, which does have
fruits of roughly the right shape and size.
Very possibly. At least you were civil with your answer and I have
learned something. I thank you for that and wish some others could be a
little more pleasant.
--
June Hughes

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In article ,
June Hughes writes:
|
| Very possibly. At least you were civil with your answer and I have
| learned something. I thank you for that and wish some others could be a
| little more pleasant.

Indeed.

I regret responding to you in a similar tone to that of your posting,
and apologise for doing so.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

June Hughes wrote:
In message , limey
writes
June Hughes wrote:
PS Note for limey and Sacha - as a result of looking I have found
my
Sarah Brown Vegetarian Cookery book - Oh joy!

Joy, indeed!
Thanks Dora. The downside is, I have a cold and can't taste anything.

Lemon juice and a good shot of whiskey in a mug, fill with boiling water
and stir. Drink it as hot as possible - probably won't cure your cold,
but you'll feel soothed! (I'm not kidding - it works for me.) Hope
you're better soon.

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

On Mon, 3 Dec 2007 15:04:25 -0500, "Dora Crawford"
wrote:

June Hughes wrote:
In message , limey
writes
June Hughes wrote:
PS Note for limey and Sacha - as a result of looking I have found
my
Sarah Brown Vegetarian Cookery book - Oh joy!

Joy, indeed!
Thanks Dora. The downside is, I have a cold and can't taste anything.

Lemon juice and a good shot of whiskey in a mug, fill with boiling water
and stir. Drink it as hot as possible - probably won't cure your cold,
but you'll feel soothed! (I'm not kidding - it works for me.) Hope
you're better soon.

My version is a spoonfull of honey, lemon juice, dash of whiskey and
then fill up mug with hot water.
--
http://www.orderonlinepickupinstore.co.uk
Ah fetch it yourself if you can't wait for delivery
http://www.freedeliveryuk.co.uk
Or get it delivered for free

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In message , Dora Crawford
writes
June Hughes wrote:
In message , limey
writes
June Hughes wrote:
PS Note for limey and Sacha - as a result of looking I have found
my
Sarah Brown Vegetarian Cookery book - Oh joy!

Joy, indeed!
Thanks Dora. The downside is, I have a cold and can't taste anything.

Lemon juice and a good shot of whiskey in a mug, fill with boiling
water and stir. Drink it as hot as possible - probably won't cure
your cold, but you'll feel soothed! (I'm not kidding - it works for
me.) Hope you're better soon.
Thanks Dora. Sacha has a cold too, so perhaps we can both try your
remedy. I think I shall put a little sugar in mine.
--
June Hughes

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

Mogga wrote:
On Mon, 3 Dec 2007 15:04:25 -0500, "Dora Crawford"
wrote:

June Hughes wrote:
Thanks Dora. The downside is, I have a cold and can't taste
anything.

Lemon juice and a good shot of whiskey in a mug, fill with boiling
water and stir. Drink it as hot as possible - probably won't cure
your cold, but you'll feel soothed! (I'm not kidding - it works for
me.) Hope you're better soon.

My version is a spoonfull of honey, lemon juice, dash of whiskey and
then fill up mug with hot water.

Oops - I left out the sweetener. Thanks for reminding me before I get
my next cold!

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In message , Mogga
writes
On Mon, 3 Dec 2007 15:04:25 -0500, "Dora Crawford"
wrote:

June Hughes wrote:
In message , limey
writes
June Hughes wrote:
PS Note for limey and Sacha - as a result of looking I have found
my
Sarah Brown Vegetarian Cookery book - Oh joy!

Joy, indeed!
Thanks Dora. The downside is, I have a cold and can't taste anything.

Lemon juice and a good shot of whiskey in a mug, fill with boiling water
and stir. Drink it as hot as possible - probably won't cure your cold,
but you'll feel soothed! (I'm not kidding - it works for me.) Hope
you're better soon.

My version is a spoonfull of honey, lemon juice, dash of whiskey and
then fill up mug with hot water.
Ah! Honey. This gets better and better:) It's ages since I had a cold
as bad as this. Off to make a hot toddy:))
--
June Hughes

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

On 3/12/07 17:00, in article ,
"Mike...." wrote:

Following up to (Nick Maclaren) wrote:

"Some sort of japonica", in normal usage, can mean only one of the
Chaenomeles. Japonica as the name of a group of plants means that
and nothing else.

are there not various "japanese" quinces? I understood the meaning to
be that. I had an ormamental one in the garden for a time.

Japanese quinces are usually understood to be Chaenomeles and then there are
named varieties of that. AFAIK, you can make jelly from them.
Cydonia is the true quince with the large, golden, roughly pear-shaped fruit
- these are real beauties when mature trees but they're not the 'mysterious
fruit' I'm trying to ID.
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove weeds from address)
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

On 3/12/07 20:34, in article , "Dora
Crawford" wrote:

Mogga wrote:
On Mon, 3 Dec 2007 15:04:25 -0500, "Dora Crawford"
wrote:

June Hughes wrote:
Thanks Dora. The downside is, I have a cold and can't taste
anything.

Lemon juice and a good shot of whiskey in a mug, fill with boiling
water and stir. Drink it as hot as possible - probably won't cure
your cold, but you'll feel soothed! (I'm not kidding - it works for
me.) Hope you're better soon.

My version is a spoonfull of honey, lemon juice, dash of whiskey and
then fill up mug with hot water.

Oops - I left out the sweetener. Thanks for reminding me before I get
my next cold!


The only good thing about a cold is the hot toddy you can make to comfort
it!
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove weeds from address)
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

Sacha wrote:
On 3/12/07 17:00, in article
, "Mike...."
wrote:

Following up to (Nick Maclaren) wrote:

"Some sort of japonica", in normal usage, can mean only one of the
Chaenomeles. Japonica as the name of a group of plants means that
and nothing else.

are there not various "japanese" quinces? I understood the meaning to
be that. I had an ormamental one in the garden for a time.

Japanese quinces are usually understood to be Chaenomeles and then
there are named varieties of that. AFAIK, you can make jelly from
them.
Cydonia is the true quince with the large, golden, roughly
pear-shaped fruit - these are real beauties when mature trees but
they're not the 'mysterious fruit' I'm trying to ID.

All this sounds so exotic to me. I tend to grow apples, plums,
blackberries, rhubarb and blackcurrants. We do eat them and I cook with
them. I suppose it is because it is what I grew up with:) I do try unknown
fruits but somehow I can't get to grips with them.

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In article ,
"Ophelia" writes:
|
| All this sounds so exotic to me. I tend to grow apples, plums,
| blackberries, rhubarb and blackcurrants. We do eat them and I cook with
| them. I suppose it is because it is what I grew up with:) I do try unknown
| fruits but somehow I can't get to grips with them.

Quinces have been grown in the UK for centuries, but are a bit tricky.

Japanese quinces / Chaenomeles / japonica are normally grown as
flowering plants, and the fruit just sort of happens :-) While the
latter makes excellent jelly, cheese, chutney and can be eaten in
pies and other puddings, most people don't bother. But they are
very decorative flowers and need no attention for producing fruit.
Literally NO attention - even less than blackberries :-)


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

Ophelia wrote:

Sacha wrote:
On 3/12/07 17:00, in article
, "Mike...."
wrote:

Following up to (Nick Maclaren) wrote:

"Some sort of japonica", in normal usage, can mean only one of the
Chaenomeles. Japonica as the name of a group of plants means that
and nothing else.

are there not various "japanese" quinces? I understood the meaning to
be that. I had an ormamental one in the garden for a time.

Japanese quinces are usually understood to be Chaenomeles and then
there are named varieties of that. AFAIK, you can make jelly from
them.
Cydonia is the true quince with the large, golden, roughly
pear-shaped fruit - these are real beauties when mature trees but
they're not the 'mysterious fruit' I'm trying to ID.

All this sounds so exotic to me. I tend to grow apples, plums,
blackberries, rhubarb and blackcurrants. We do eat them and I cook with
them. I suppose it is because it is what I grew up with:) I do try unknown
fruits but somehow I can't get to grips with them.

I had fun trying to ID nisperos in English- as I only ever knew them by
the spanish name. It's loquat, but the Italian nespole (that's what they
were called in a market when we bought them in Rome) translates as
medlar fruit, which I don't think is the same thing- though related
IIRC?

One fruit I particularly like but don't see much in the UK shops is
grenadilla (is there an English name?). Divine! Lidl (of all places!)
was selling them a while back...

--
(*) ... of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate
http://www.davidhorne.net - real address on website
"He can't be as stupid as he looks, but nevertheless he probably
is quite a stupid man." Richard Dawkins on Pres. Bush"

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In message , "David Horne,
_the_ chancellor (*)" writes
Ophelia wrote:

Sacha wrote:
On 3/12/07 17:00, in article
, "Mike...."
wrote:

Following up to (Nick Maclaren) wrote:

"Some sort of japonica", in normal usage, can mean only one of the
Chaenomeles. Japonica as the name of a group of plants means that
and nothing else.

are there not various "japanese" quinces? I understood the meaning to
be that. I had an ormamental one in the garden for a time.

Japanese quinces are usually understood to be Chaenomeles and then
there are named varieties of that. AFAIK, you can make jelly from
them.
Cydonia is the true quince with the large, golden, roughly
pear-shaped fruit - these are real beauties when mature trees but
they're not the 'mysterious fruit' I'm trying to ID.

All this sounds so exotic to me. I tend to grow apples, plums,
blackberries, rhubarb and blackcurrants. We do eat them and I cook with
them. I suppose it is because it is what I grew up with:) I do try unknown
fruits but somehow I can't get to grips with them.

I had fun trying to ID nisperos in English- as I only ever knew them by
the spanish name. It's loquat, but the Italian nespole (that's what they
were called in a market when we bought them in Rome) translates as
medlar fruit, which I don't think is the same thing- though related
IIRC?

One fruit I particularly like but don't see much in the UK shops is
grenadilla (is there an English name?). Divine! Lidl (of all places!)
was selling them a while back...

We don't have a Lidl near here, although they have just opened an Aldi
in North Finchley. Are they similar in what they sell, please?
--
June Hughes

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In article ,
(David Horne, _the_ chancellor (*)) writes:
|
| One fruit I particularly like but don't see much in the UK shops is
| grenadilla (is there an English name?). Divine! Lidl (of all places!)
| was selling them a while back...

Passion fruit. Passiflora edulis.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In article ,
says...
Ophelia wrote:

Sacha wrote:
On 3/12/07 17:00, in article
, "Mike...."
wrote:

Following up to (Nick Maclaren) wrote:

"Some sort of japonica", in normal usage, can mean only one of the
Chaenomeles. Japonica as the name of a group of plants means that
and nothing else.

are there not various "japanese" quinces? I understood the meaning to
be that. I had an ormamental one in the garden for a time.

Japanese quinces are usually understood to be Chaenomeles and then
there are named varieties of that. AFAIK, you can make jelly from
them.
Cydonia is the true quince with the large, golden, roughly
pear-shaped fruit - these are real beauties when mature trees but
they're not the 'mysterious fruit' I'm trying to ID.

All this sounds so exotic to me. I tend to grow apples, plums,
blackberries, rhubarb and blackcurrants. We do eat them and I cook with
them. I suppose it is because it is what I grew up with:) I do try unknown
fruits but somehow I can't get to grips with them.

I had fun trying to ID nisperos in English- as I only ever knew them by
the spanish name. It's loquat, but the Italian nespole (that's what they
were called in a market when we bought them in Rome) translates as
medlar fruit, which I don't think is the same thing- though related
IIRC?

One fruit I particularly like but don't see much in the UK shops is
grenadilla (is there an English name?). Divine! Lidl (of all places!)
was selling them a while back...


Grenadilla is one of several species of Passion fruit
--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and
Lapageria rosea

Trying to ID a mysterious fruit
 

In message , "David Horne,
_the_ chancellor (*)" writes
Ophelia wrote:

Sacha wrote:
On 3/12/07 17:00, in article
, "Mike...."
wrote:

Following up to (Nick Maclaren) wrote:

"Some sort of japonica", in normal usage, can mean only one of the
Chaenomeles. Japonica as the name of a group of plants means that
and nothing else.

are there not various "japanese" quinces? I understood the meaning to
be that. I had an ormamental one in the garden for a time.

Japanese quinces are usually understood to be Chaenomeles and then
there are named varieties of that. AFAIK, you can make jelly from
them.
Cydonia is the true quince with the large, golden, roughly
pear-shaped fruit - these are real beauties when mature trees but
they're not the 'mysterious fruit' I'm trying to ID.

All this sounds so exotic to me. I tend to grow apples, plums,
blackberries, rhubarb and blackcurrants. We do eat them and I cook with
them. I suppose it is because it is what I grew up with:) I do try unknown
fruits but somehow I can't get to grips with them.

I had fun trying to ID nisperos in English- as I only ever knew them by
the spanish name. It's loquat, but the Italian nespole (that's what they
were called in a market when we bought them in Rome) translates as
medlar fruit, which I don't think is the same thing- though related
IIRC?

You can think of a medlar (Mespilus) as a giant haw (Crataegus); loquats
(Eriobotrya) are also pome fruits, but so are apples, pears,
serviceberries, and quite a few other plants.

One fruit I particularly like but don't see much in the UK shops is
grenadilla (is there an English name?). Divine! Lidl (of all places!)
was selling them a while back...

Yes, there is an English name; it is granadilla.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granadilla
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley