Mespilus germanica Monstrueuse d'Evreinoff - Common Medlar

The 'Monstrueuse d'Evreinoff' Bio Medlar is a rare and ancient variety of medlar from Germany that stands out for its vigour, precocity, and the size of its fruits. This large bush is also very ornamental with well-structured branches, large leaves, autumn colours, almost red branches, and large white flowers, even if they are ephemeral in spring. Plants from Organic Agriculture.

It blooms in April, then produces very large round and flattened medlars, measuring over 5cm (2in) in diameter and weighing over 70 grams. They are brown to light grey in colour, taking on a bright red tint in the sun, covered with lenticels. Their melting flesh is brown to pinkish, slightly fibrous, and is consumed when over-ripe. Their flavour is pleasant, well balanced between sweet and slightly acidic, sometimes almost liqueur-like. Harvesting takes place from mid-October, even in the absence of frost. The harvest is very abundant; the tree produces several hundred fruits, and the production is regular from one year to the next. The fruiting is early, but does not last long on the tree.

The medlar, Mespilus germanica, is native to the Black Sea. It was introduced to Greece around 700 BCE, then to Rome in 200 BCE. 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 gradually fell into oblivion. Today, very good varieties with large fruits can be found, including 'Monstrueuse d'Evreinoff' Medlar, discovered in France in 1941, more precisely in Tarn et Garonne (Mirabel, near Montauban). This fruit tree belongs to the Rosaceae family.

The Medlar adapts well to harsh climates thanks to its hardiness and rather late flowering. It should not be confused with the Japanese Medlar, which only produces fruit properly in a Mediterranean climate. It reaches a height of 3 to 6m (10 to 20ft), depending on the varieties. Its growth rate is slow and its habit is fairly spreading, wide, or slightly trailing. Its large leaves are medium green and turn orange in autumn before falling. Elliptical in shape, they are irregularly dentate. It blooms in spring, from April to late May depending on the varieties. The decorative flowers are white, measuring about 3 to 4cm (1 to 2in). The medlars are shaped like flattened spinning tops. Their skin hides a creamy, sweet flesh that is only consumed when over-ripe.

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

Originally from Southern Europe, the German Medlar is spontaneous. It is a hardy and robust bush that thrives in any deep and balanced soil.