pyrus

Pyrus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rosaceae, containing about 22 to 25 species of deciduous trees and shrubs. Native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, they are commonly known as pears. The most economically important species is Pyrus communis, the European pear, though Pyrus pyrifolia is widely cultivated in East Asia as the Asian pear.

Leaves are simple and alternately arranged, usually oblong to lanceolate with serrated margins. In spring, Pyrus trees bear white to pale pink flowers arranged in corymbs. The fruit is a pomaceous pome with a central core containing seeds. Pears vary in size and shape, with yellow, green, or russet skins, and are typically eaten when fully ripe and firm.

Pyrus species are deciduous, adapted to temperate climates. Trees are commonly propagated by grafting onto rootstocks to control size and vigor. Cultivation emphasizes fruit quality, storage characteristics, and disease resistance. Pears have a long history of cultivation in Europe and Asia; in addition to fruit, some ornamental pear species, such as Pyrus calleryana, are planted for landscaping, though some forms can be invasive in certain regions.

Taxonomically, Pyrus belongs to the subfamily Amygdaloideae in the Rosaceae and is placed in the tribe Maleae, which includes other pomaceous genera. The genus comprises wild species and a large number of cultivated varieties developed through grafting and selection.