Pyrus communis L.

Common Pear

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Common Pear is an introduced deciduous tree in the Rosa family (Rosaceae). It is native to Eurasia. In Alabama it can be found statewide. Common Pear occurs around old home sites, in pastures, along fence rows, and in urban woodlands. It is a small to medium sized tree reaching heights of 20-60 feet. The bark is grayish brown and occurs in long vertical plates. Short side shoots are often thorn tipped. Leaves are petiolate, alternate, ovate to elliptic in outline, slightly pubescent (especially when young), and with serrate to crenate or rarely entire margins. The leaf margins are usually densely ciliate when young. The leaves turn yellow or golden before falling in the autumn. Flowers occur in 4-9 flowered umbel-like racemes or corymbs. Each flower has 5 white petals and 3-5 styles. The fruit is a globose or pyriform pome that is green, yellow, or reddish in color. Common Pear is widely cultivated for its edible fruit. It is of hybrid origin involving multiple species, and over 1,000 cultivars have been developed.—A. Diamond

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Not Native

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