Ussurian pear facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ussurian pear |
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| P. ussuriensis buds, leaves, and flowers | |
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Pyrus
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ussuriensis
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The Ussurian pear is a special type of pear tree. It is also called the Harbin pear or Manchurian pear. Its scientific name is Pyrus ussuriensis. This tree is a flowering plant and belongs to the Rosaceae family, which also includes roses and apples.
Contents
Where the Ussurian Pear Lives
This pear tree naturally grows in certain parts of Asia. You can find it in Korea, Japan, and near the Ussuri River in far eastern Russia. It likes places with a good amount of sunlight.
What the Ussurian Pear Looks Like
In the spring, the Ussurian pear tree grows beautiful flowers. When they first appear, the flower buds are a little pink. Then, they open up into white flowers. The tree's buds are dark brown and grow in a special pattern.
The Ussurian pear tree can grow quite tall. It can reach about 49 feet (15 meters) high. It grows best in soil that drains water well, like loam soil. This type of soil has a good mix of sand, silt, and clay.
Leaves and Colors
During spring and summer, the leaves of the Ussurian pear are a dark green. But when autumn arrives, they change into amazing colors. The leaves turn dark red and gold, making the tree look very pretty.
The Toughest Pear Tree
The Ussurian pear is known as the hardiest of all pear trees. This means it can survive in very cold weather better than other pear types. It is very strong against freezing temperatures.
However, if it's planted in warmer places, it can sometimes be tricky. If the tree starts to grow new buds too early in a mild winter, a sudden freeze can hurt or even kill it.
Animals and the Pear Tree
Many different animals enjoy eating the fruit of the Ussurian pear. Birds and various mammals like to snack on them. But some animals, like deer, mice, and rabbits, can cause problems. They sometimes damage the trees by eating their bark or young branches.
Ussurian Pear Fruit
The fruits of the Ussurian pear are not usually the tastiest for humans to eat fresh. They can be a bit hard or not very sweet. However, their taste actually gets better after they have been frozen! The juice from these pears also tastes much better after a freeze.
Special Uses for the Fruit
Scientists have found something interesting about the Ussurian pear fruit. Products made from these fruits might be helpful in fighting pests. They could be even better than some bug sprays at killing ticks and mites. This is a cool natural way to deal with tiny pests.
New Kinds of Pears
The Ussurian pear is very important for growing new types of pears. When it is crossed with other pear species, it helps create tasty new pears. These new pears can then grow in places that are too cold for most other pear trees. This means more people can enjoy delicious pears, even in chilly climates.
Popular Varieties
There are many different kinds, or cultivars, of the Ussurian pear. Some popular ones include 'Reli', 'Jinxiang', 'Hongbalixiang', 'Baibalixiang', 'Fuwuxiang', 'Qiuxiang', 'Fuanjianba', 'Longxiang', 'Guanhongxiao', 'Shanli24', 'Wuxiangli', 'Shatangli', 'Manyuanxiang', 'McDermand', and the Prairie Gem® Flowering Pear (which is also called ‘MorDak’). These different varieties show how versatile and important the Ussurian pear is.
Images for kids
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P. ussuriensis buds, leaves, and flowers
See also
In Spanish: Pera de Ussuri para niños
