Asian Pear

Common Name: Asian Pear, Sand Pear
Scientific Name: Pyrus pyrifolia
Family: Rosaceae

Etymology: Pyrus comes from the Latin pirus meaning pear tree.

Indigenous Uses

The Asian Pear was used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat bronchial diseases and the common cough.

Medicinal Uses

A great source of many vitamins and the fruit's skin is high in fiber. Asian pears have high amounts of antioxidants and other beneficial components.

Edible Parts

The fruits themselves are edible. They can be used in a variety of ways such as eating them raw, or utilizing them in smoothies, sauces, salads and other recipes. In Asian cuisine, the Asian pear is utilized in marinades.

Gathering and Using

Fruits mature and turn from green to yellow/brown when ripe, typically towards late summer between the end of July and end of September.

Permaculture Functions and Considerations

With edible fruits, the Asian Pear is a great addition to an edible forest or any garden. Pruning should be done to prevent too much weight on a branch. Flowers attract certain pollinators.

How to Identify

White flowers emerge in late February through early April. Unlike the common invasive Bradford Pear, Asian Pears have a pleasant, fruity aroma when they bloom, unlike the smelly flowers of the Bradford Pear. They also have actual fruits. In addition, Asian Pears have green 3-6-inch-long leaves with fine-toothed margins. The leaves turn red or orange in the fall.

Wildlife Support

Flowers act as a source of nectar for pollinators. Fruits can be eaten by mammals, fruits, and insects, especially if they fall and decompose on the ground.

Additional Information

It was planted extensively in the Sierra Nevada when miners and railroad workers from Japan worked in the California Gold Rush. Asian pears are firm when ripe, unlike the European pear.