Origin, history of cultivation. The quince has a long history of cultivation in the Middle East, where it is native, and throughout the Mediterranean region. Greeks and Romans grew the quince for its fragrant fruit and attractive pink flowers. Folklore, medicinal and non-food uses. Quinces are more important as rootstocks than as fruiting plants.
Quince is the primary dwarfing rootstock used for pear, mostly in Europe.
It lacks sufficient cold hardiness and blight tolerance to be used in the Pacific Northwest region. Quinces are known for their strong perfume, and will freshen up an entire room if left at room temperature for several days. Large shrub or small tree, to 4 m. Leaves elliptical, with entire margins, often larger than those of apple or pear. Light pubescence on underside. Quince flowers are borne solitary, terminally on current season's growth.