QUINCE

The quince is a deciduous, thornless shrub or small tree, 4 to 6 m (13 to 20 ft) high and 3 to 4.5 m (10 to 15 ft) spread, with crowded branches and a low, crooked habit. Young branchlets are covered with a pale-grayish wool. It bears pink or white solitary flowers and has alternate, ovate leaves tapering at one end and fruits resembling a large, yellow apple. Each carpel bears many seeds covered by mucilage. The plant is native to central Asia. The parts used are the fruits and seeds. Quince has an agreeable, slightly acid flavor. The hard, acid flesh of unripe fruits, harvested in October, is used in marmalades, jellies and preserves. The seeds from the ripe fruits yield quince-seed mucilage, used as a thickening agent in place of tragacanth gum.

Quince is found in Southwest and Central Asia and in Europe.

Quince traditionally has been used to treat diarrhea, gonorrhea, dysentery, Candida infections of the mouth, and sore throat. It is also a component in lotions, creams, and mouthwash. Quince is used topically to treat canker sores and gum disease.