Pyrus cordata aka Plymouth Pear

Pyrus cordata, also known as the Plymouth pear, is a rare wild species of pear that belongs to the family Rosaceae. It was originally discovered in the city of Plymouth in Devon in 1870. This small tree can be found growing in hedgerows or at the edge of woods. It is considered to be either a subspecies of Pyrus pyraster or a distinct species. The Plymouth pear is one of the rarest trees in the UK and is protected under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. This deciduous shrub or small tree has spiny branches and oval-shaped, glossy green leaves. Its creamy white blossoms, sometimes flushed with pink, emit a strong scent that is often described as unpleasant. The fruits of the Plymouth pear are very small, round, and brownish-green, and are favored by birds. It is hardy and can grow up to 10 meters in height. However, its ability to bear fruit and produce seeds is dependent on favorable weather conditions. The hermaphroditic flowers of Pyrus cordata bloom from April to May and are pollinated by insects. The pale cream blossoms, accompanied by a faint but disgusting smell reminiscent of rotting scampi, soiled sheets, or wet carpets, mainly attract flies, including the Bibio marci species. Although the Plymouth pear is rare in the UK, it is more common in regions such as Brittany, Northern Portugal, and Galicia, where it can be found at woodland margins on acid soils.