Chinese pear (Pyrus ussuriensis)

Pyrus ussuriensis, commonly known as the Ussurian pear, Harbin pear, or Manchurian pear, is a flowering plant species in the Rosaceae family. It is indigenous to Korea, Japan, and the Ussuri River region in eastern Russia. The tree typically reaches a height of about 15 meters (49 feet) and prefers well-drained loamy soils. It is renowned for being the hardiest of all pear species, though it can be vulnerable to late freezes in milder climates. The Ussurian pear blooms in spring with flowers that start as slightly pink buds and turn white as they open. Its dark brown buds are alternately arranged, and the leaves are dark green throughout spring and summer, transitioning to dark red and gold in autumn.

Wildlife such as birds, deer, mice, and rabbits are known to feed on the fruit and sometimes damage the trees. The fruits themselves, while not particularly palatable to humans initially, improve in taste after a freeze and have a better-tasting juice. Additionally, products derived from the fruit may be more effective than commercial insecticides in combating ticks and mites. Crossbreeding Pyrus ussuriensis with other pear varieties can yield tasty pears suitable for colder climates.

Some notable cultivars of Pyrus ussuriensis include:

1. **'Reli'**
2. **'Jinxiang'**
3. **'Hongbalixiang'**
4. **'Baibalixiang'**
5. **'Fuwuxiang'**
6. **'Qiuxiang'**
7. **'Fuanjianba'**
8. **'Longxiang'**
9. **'Guanhongxiao'**
10. **'Shanli24'**
11. **'Wuxiangli'**
12. **'Shatangli'**
13. **'Manyuanxiang'**
14. **'McDermand'**
15. **Prairie Gem® Flowering Pear (cultivar ‘MorDak’)**

Research has identified at least 108 compounds in the fruits that influence plant breeding, classifying Pyrus ussuriensis cultivars into four distinct groups.