{{Short description|Genus of trees}} {{distinguish||text=''Chaenomeles speciosa'', also called Chinese quince or ''mugua''}} {{distinguish||text=''Carica papaya'', papaya, also called ''mugua''}} {{Speciesbox | image = Pseudocydonia 2.jpg | image_caption = ''Pseudocydonia sinensis'' | display_parents = 4 | genus = Pseudocydonia | parent_authority = C.K.Schneid. | species = sinensis | authority = C.K.Schneid. |synonyms = * ''Chaenomeles sinensis'' (Thouin) Koehne * ''Cydonia sinensis'' Thouin * ''Pyrus cathayensis'' Hemsl. * ''Pyrus sinensis'' (Thouin) Spreng. |synonyms_ref = <ref name="Grin">{{GRIN | accessdate = 29 December 2017}}</ref> }}

'''''Pseudocydonia sinensis''''' or '''Chinese quince''' ({{zh|c=木瓜|p=mùguā}}) is a deciduous or semi-evergreen tree in the family Rosaceae, native to southern and eastern China. It is the sole species in the genus '''''Pseudocydonia'''''.<ref name="Grin"/> Its hard, astringent fruit is used in traditional Chinese medicine<ref name="lim">Lim, T. K. "Pseudocydonia sinensis." Edible Medicinal And Non-Medicinal Plants. Springer Netherlands, 2012. 515-522.</ref> and as a food in East Asia. Trees are generally {{Convert|10-18|m|ft|abbr=}} tall.

The tree is closely related to the east Asian genus ''Chaenomeles'', and is sometimes placed as ''Chaenomeles'' ''sinensis'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200010697|title=Chaenomeles sinensis in Flora of China @ efloras.org|website=www.efloras.org}}</ref> but lacks thorns and has single, not clustered, flowers. Chinese quince is further distinguished from quince, ''Cydonia oblonga,''<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Campbell, C.S. |author2=Evans, R.C. |author3=Morgan, D.R. |author4=Dickinson, T.A. |author5=Arsenault, M.P. |year=2007|title=Phylogeny of subtribe Pyrinae (formerly the Maloideae, Rosaceae): Limited resolution of a complex evolutionary history|journal=Plant Systematics and Evolution|volume=266|issue=1–2|pages=119–145|url=http://biology.umaine.edu/Amelanchier/Pyrinae_2007.pdf|doi=10.1007/s00606-007-0545-y|bibcode=2007PSyEv.266..119C |citeseerx=10.1.1.453.8954 |s2cid=13639534 }}</ref> by its serrated leaves and lack of fuzz.

== Names == In China, both the tree and its fruit are called ''mùguā'' ({{lang|zh|木瓜}}), which also refers to papaya and the flowering quince ''(Chaenomeles speciosa).'' In Korea the tree is called ''mogwa-namu'' ({{lang|ko|모과나무}}) and the fruit ''mogwa'' ({{lang|ko|모과}}; from ''mokgwa'' ({{Korean|hangul=목과|hanja=木瓜}}), the Korean reading of the Chinese characters). In Japan, both tree and fruit are called ''karin'' ({{lang|ja|花梨}}; rarely {{lang|ja|榠樝}}) except in medicine where the fruit is called ''wa-mokka'' ({{lang|ja|和木瓜}}) from the Chinese and Korean names.<ref>:ja:カリン (バラ科)</ref>{{Circular reference|date=April 2018}}

== Characteristics == Trees grow to 10–18 m tall, with a dense, twiggy crown. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, 6–12&nbsp;cm long and 3–6&nbsp;cm broad, and with serrated margin. The flowers are 2.5–4&nbsp;cm diameter, with five pale pink petals; flowering is in mid spring. The fruit is a large ovoid pome 12–17&nbsp;cm long with five carpels; it gives off an intense, sweet smell when it ripens in late autumn.{{Cn|date=February 2021}}

==Uses== The fruit is hard and astringent, though it softens and becomes less astringent after a period of frost (via the process of bletting). It can be used to make jam, much like quince. In Korea, the fruit is used to make ''mogwa-cheong'' (preserved quince) and ''mogwa-cha'' (quince tea).{{Cn|date=February 2021}}

The fruit is also used in traditional Chinese medicine.<ref name="lim" />

Chinese quince is also grown as an ornamental tree.{{Cn|date=February 2021}} In Haeju, North Korea two Chinese Quinces planted in 1910 are national monuments, being probably the tallest of specimens in the country.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Naenara Democratic People's Republic of Korea|url=http://naenara.com.kp/en/news/?8+417|access-date=2021-04-23|website=naenara.com.kp}}</ref>

==Gallery== <gallery> Image:Chaenomeles sinensis 3.JPG| Image:A trunk of Chaenomeles sinensis Koehne PC120032.jpg|Trunk detail Image:A leaf of Chaenomeles sinensis Koehne PC120027.jpg|Leaf detail Image:Pseudocydonia sinensis-Zampach-01.jpg|Autumn leaves </gallery>

==See also== * Flowering quinces, genus ''Chaenomeles'' * Quince (''Cydonia oblonga'')

==References== {{Reflist|group=note}}

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Category:Maleae Category:Monotypic Rosaceae genera Category:Trees of China Category:Plants used in bonsai Category:Fruit trees