| The pear (Latin: Pýrus) is a type of tree and shrub belonging to the family Rosaceae.
The crown shape of a freely growing tree is a pyramid or round and inclined towards densification. The annual growth constitutes 30-40 cm. Under favorable conditions, the pear reaches large sizes - more than 12.5m in height and 5m in the diameter of the crown.
The leaves as a rule are deciduous. The leaf arrangement is spiral (phyllotaxy) in 5 rows. The leaf is a wide ovate form of 2.5 – 20 cm in length, short-mucronate; color - dark green, lustrous, and the back side of the leaf is bluish green and golden with an orange color in autumn.
The period and blooming shape: In April-May the blossoms are white in color and 3 cm in diameter, 5-petal with 3-9 petals in the umbrella-shaped clusters. 2 to 5 pestles in the gynecium. The ovaries grow together and with the flower bed which takes the shape of a mug the petals in the buds are located in a tiled form.
The fruit clusters are lined with a dense cover (endocarp).
The pear buds, in the case of other trees in the family are of two types: vegetative and generative. Vegetative buds are smaller and more pointed whereas generative buds are large in size and broader. The external distinctions between the two types of buds increase from the time of formation of these buds till sprouts are coming from them.
The fruit, as a rule, has an oblong shape with an expansion in the lower portion and varieties of pears are also available with spherical fruits.
Classification:
Cultivating pears mostly are Pyrus domestica and Pyrus communis.
The area of distribution and ecology:
In Europe, wild pears are found in approximately up to 60° in the northern latitude. It is rare on the northern border of the natural habitat.
By 2006, as a result of the successful selection of cold-resistant varieties, the pear is effectively cultivated in orchard sites located in the Ural Mountains and in Western Siberia up to 55 ° in the northern latitude.
It is presumed that the origin of cultivable pears is linked with the hybridization of some kinds, in particular, Рyrus achras Gärtn., Рyrus persica Pers., Рyrus cordata Desv., Рyrus elaeagnifolia Pall. Pears were cultivated in ancient Persia, Greece and in the Roman Empire.
Presently, thousands of types of pears are available.
Importance and usage:
Different types of pears are used as decorative or proper fruit-trees.
In 2005, world pear production stood at 15 million tons (estimation of US Ministry of Agriculture). The largest manufacturer of pears is in China.
Some types of pears:
* Abate pear;
* Alexandrina pear;
* Anjou pear;
* Bonne Louise pear;
* Bartlett - Pyrus communis ‘Williams' Bon Chrétien’
* Gioite pear;
* Durango pear;
* Chinese pear ;
* Comice pear;
* Conference pear;
* Nashi pear;
* Packham pear;
* Polska pear;
* Rocha pear;
* Triumph pear
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