PearsPosted 10 years ago under Uncategorized

Pears are a delicious and nutritious treat. They have been shown to be associated with a decreased risk of heart disease and stroke. Because of their large amount of fiber and low glycemic index, they make a great snack for people who suffer from Diabetes or are trying to lose weight. Pears also have anti-inflammatory properties. All of these benefits make them a great addition to anyone’s diet. (1)

Taxonomy

Pears can refer to any number of species in the Pyrus genus.

Kingdom (Plantae) –> Angiosperms –> Eudicots –> Rosids –> Order (Rosales) –> Family (Rosaceae) –> Subfamily (Amygdaloideae) –> Tribe (Maleae) –> Subtribe (Malinae) –> Genus (Pyrus)

Description

The pear tree can reach heights of 43 feet high. The leaves are a dark green and leathery. The flowers are an inch wide and white in color. Depending on the variety, pears are typically elongated in shape and a couple inches in length though some are apple-shaped. The outside skin is usually green or yellow and the inside flesh is white. They are softer in texture and sweeter than apples. (2)

Distribution

Pears are believed to have originated in Europe but are now grown around the world. The top world producers today are China, Chile, Argentina, South Korea, and New Zealand. (3) Pears grow best in a temperate climate with full sun exposure and sandy or loamy soil. (4)

Nutritional Information

Pears are a great source of nutrition. They are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and copper. They also contain flavonoids such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zea-xanthin. They’re useful in treating arthritis, colitis, chronic gallbladder disorders, and gout. (5)

Commercial Cultivation

Peaches are cultivated using budding or grafting methods. They typically take 4 to 7 years to produce a commercially viable crop of fruit and can live for 50 to 75 years. (6) They require cross-pollination to propagate. (7)

Diseases, Pests, Predators

Pear trees are common to a number of pests and diseases including fire blight, pear psylla, aphids, mites, and powdery mildew. Certain varieties are resistant or vulnerable diseases. Bartlett pears are vulnerable to fire blight while kieffer are resistant. (8)

Sources

(1) http://www.naturalnews.com/043862_pears_heart_disease_reduce_inflammation.html
(2) http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/447953/pear
(3) http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=28#descr
(4) http://www.almanac.com/plant/pears
(5) http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/pears.html
(6) http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/447953/pear
(7) http://www.almanac.com/plant/pears
(8) http://www.almanac.com/plant/pears