The quince is the only member of the genus cydonia. It is native to the warm temperate climates of southwest Asia and Caucasus region. The quince is a somewhat small deciduous tree that grows 5 to 8 meters in height and about 4 to 6 meters in width. Like apples and pears, it has a pome fruit, which when mature is a bright golden yellow color. It is shaped like a pear and is 7 to 12 centimeters in length and 6 to 9 centimeters in width.
The immature fruit is green with a grayish white, dense pubescence. This typically rubs off in the late fall before maturity. It develops a strongly perfumed, hard flesh and its fruit changes color to yellow when it is mature. Its leaves are simple and alternately arranged. They are densely pubescent with white, fine hairs and a full margin. During the spring the flowers are produced after the leaves. They have five petals that are either white or pink and are 5 centimeters in diameter.
Quince is occasionally used as food by the larvae of some species. It is also a frost hardy plant that requires cold temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius in order to flower properly. The fruit is often left on the tree to ripen until it softens. It can be eaten raw in summer and should be picked before the first frost. Quince is often used to make jellies, jams, and even quince pudding. They can also be peeled and roasted.