Shipova

The Shipova (× Sorbopyrus auricularis), also known as the Bollwyller Pear, is a hybrid between the European Pear (Pyrus communis) and other similar fruits. One type is the Common Whitebeam (Sorbus aria). It is a small to medium-sized tree growing to 10-18 m tall, with deciduous oval leaves 7-11 cm long and 5-6 cm broad. The fruit is a pome 2.5-3 cm long; it is edible with a sweet, yellowish flesh, which tastes similar to a Nashi Pear.

The hybrid first arose at Bollwyller in Alsace, France, before 1619, and has mostly been propagated by grafting since then; it is nearly sterile, only rarely producing any viable seeds. Two successful seedling propagations have been named as the cultivars 'Bulbiformis' and 'Malifolia'. However shipova trees are not widely cultivated.

Another type is a cross between the European Pear and European Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia). The fruit of this type of shipova is a darker, almost red color, and tastes nothing like a pear. Sprouts of rowan, also known as mountain ash, frequently arise from this kind of Shipova. For this type of shipova, late blooming pear varieties, such as bosc, are recommended for pollination, as this type of shipova does not set fruit very effectively on its own. This type of shipova was not a sport, but rather an intentional hybrid created in the former Yugoslavia. Although it is quite rare, the fruit is plum-sized and quite delicious.

References and external links

• Bean, W. J. (1980). Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles, eighth edition.
• US Agricultural Research Service: Shipova.
• picture of shipova fruit

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