The Japanese medlar is a vigorous shrub or tree with a spreading habit and showy leaves, from inversely lanceolate to strictly obovate, up to 30cm long, dark green in colour and shiny on the upper surface. From autumn to winter, it produces fragrant white flowers in large panicles, followed in spring by yellow-orange, globose or periform fruits, 4cm wide. The name of the genus comes from the Greek érion, meaning wool, and botrys, meaning bunch. Originally from China and Japan, it was imported into Europe in the 18th century as an ornamental plant and for its sweet-sour fruits. Vigorous shrub and spreading habit or tree with robust shoots and showy leaves, from inversely lanceolate to strictly obovate, sharp, with marked veins, dark green in colour, up to 30cm long, shiny on the upper surface. From autumn to winter, it bears fragrant white flowers in large panicles, followed in spring by yellow-orange fruits, globose to periform, 4cm wide. Due to the downy appearance of the inflorescences, the genus derives its name from the Greek érion, meaning wool, and botrys, meaning bunch. The Japanese medlar was imported in the 18th century from the East, where it is widespread in China and Japan, and cultivated as an ornamental plant in Europe. Subsequently it was used for the fruits, which have sweet-sour pulp, but are not easily storable.