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NEW ZEALAND BEEKEEPER, NOVEMBER 2016
PIPFRUIT TREES IN THE ROSE FAMILY In the Rose family, the pipfruit trees, (e.g., pears, apples, crab apples, and quinces) are Star Performers because of their massive flower density on the tree and the high protein content in the pollen (22%–28%). The trees or shrubs are usually deciduous with flowers opening before the leaves. Most species flower in spring with different early and late varieties. In each group there are both edible cultivars and ornamental inedible varieties. For example, the ‘flowering quince’ (Chaenomeles japonica) is grown ornamentally for the flowers, not for their fruits (although they are edible), while the closely related Cydonia oblonga and Pseudocydonia sinensis are the edible quinces. There are both edible and ornamental cultivars of apples, pears and crab apples too. Consult your local nursery. Avoid any that have double flowers or other modifications that reduce the quantity and presentation of pollen and nectar. If the spread of weeds by bird dispersal of fruits and seeds is an issue, then choose cultivars with large fruits that don’t attract birds. PIPFRUIT TREES IN THE ROSE FAMILY COMMON NAME SPECIES
Parts of a flower, starting from the centre and working to the outside of the flower: Pistil – the female reproductive organ located in the centre, made up of the stigma, style and ovary Stigma – the receptive surface of the pistil where pollen lands and germinates to produce the pollen tube Style – the narrow elongated part of the pistil between the ovary and the stigma; guides the pollen tube to the ovary Ovary – the enlarged basal portion of the pistil where ovules are produced and protected Ovule – the egg awaiting fertilisation from genetic material delivered in pollen tube; may be one or many ovules per ovary Stamens – the male reproductive organs surrounding the pistil, made up of the anther and filament Anther – the sac at the tip of the stamen; produces and protects pollen; on maturity it opens to expose the pollen Filament – the stalk that holds up the anther to promote pollen dispersal by wind or pollinators Petals – the parts surrounding the pistil and stamen to protect them and to attract pollinators; may be absent Corolla – the whorl of all the petals together, petals can be separated individually or fused to form a tube Receptacle –the axis (upper part of the stem) to which the floral parts are attached. Sepals – the outermost whorl protects flower bud, usually green and leaf-like, sometimes coloured; may be absent Calyx – the whorl of all the sepals taken together Peduncle – stalk holding up one flower or a group of flowers; called a pedicel for one flower on a stalk of multiple flowers.
Domestic apple
Malus domestica cultivars
Crab apple
Malus species
European pear
Pyrus communis cultivars
Ornamental pear
e.g., Pyrus calleryana, P. ussuriensis, P. nivalis, P. betulaefolia
Edible quince
Cydonia oblonga cultivars, e.g., Smyrna
False quince
Pseudocydonia sinensis
Flowering quince
Chaenomeles species, e.g., C. japonica (Japanese flowering quince), C. cathayensis (Chinese quince)
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This heritage pear tree in full bloom benefits bees hugely. Photo: Jean-Noël Galliot © Trees for Bees NZ.
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