Mespilus germanica Westerveld - Common Medlar

Mespilus germanica 'Westerveld' is a small, hardy, and very fertile tree. It blooms late, at the end of May. It produces round, brown-orange medlars, about 3cm (1in) in diameter. The flesh is creamy, sweet, and juicy. The harvest takes place at ripeness, in November, after the first autumn frosts.

The medlar is native to the Black Sea. It was introduced in Greece around 700 BC, then in Rome, in 200 BC. Later, the medlar was commonly cultivated, especially during the time of Charlemagne. Until the 17th century, it was regularly found in markets. Then, while other fruit trees reached their peak (19th century), the medlar, on the contrary, gradually fell into oblivion. Today, very good varieties can be found, with sweet fruit, such as the 'Westerveld' Medlar, originally from the Netherlands.

The medlar is a fruit tree that adapts well to harsh climates thanks to its hardiness and late flowering. It should not be confused with the German medlar or the Japanese medlar, which only blooms in Mediterranean climates. It reaches a height of 3 to 5m (10 to 16ft). Its growth rate is slow and its habit is quite spreading, even trailing. Its leaves are dark green and turn orange in autumn. Elliptical in shape, they are irregularly toothed. It blooms in late spring, at the end of May. The flowers are white, measuring about 3cm (1in). The medlars are flat top-shaped, measuring about 3cm (1in) in diameter. Their brown-orange skin hides a creamy, sweet, and juicy flesh that becomes apparent after the first frosts.

The medlar, which contains five large seeds, can be consumed fresh, in compote, or in jam (medlar jelly). It is also used in the making of ratafia.