Pyrus pyraster, Burgsd.

4. P. pyraster Burgsd. View in CoL , Anleit. Erzieh. Holzart. 2: 193 (1787)

( P. communis auct., non L., P. communis var. achras Walk. ).

Tree 8-20 m, with patent or ascending, usually spiny branches. Twigs grey to brown. Bud-scales 5-8. Leaves 2-5-7 x 2-5 cm, elliptical, ovate or orbicular, cuneate, rounded or cordate at base, acute or shortly acuminate, thin, crenulate-serrulate throughout or only at the apex, rarely entire, usually glabrous at maturity; petiole 2-7 cm, slender. Sepals 3-8 x 1-3-5 mm. Petals 10-17 x 7-13 mm, elliptical to orbicular. Fruit 1 - 3-3- 5 x 1 -8-3- 5 cm, globose to turbinate, yellow, brown or black, the lenticels often conspicuous; pedicel 1-5-5 cm, slender; calyx persistent. Thickets and open woods. S., W. & C. Europe and S. half of U.S.S.R. Al Au Be?Br Bu Cz?Da Ga Ge Gr He Hs Hu It Ju Lu Po Rm Rs (C, W, E) Si.

This species, which comprises many of the variants of the wild and naturalized pears of Europe, has received a variety of taxonomic treatments. It has not yet been possible to subdivide it satisfactorily.