mespilus germanica

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

Mespilus germanica
    n 1: small deciduous Eurasian tree cultivated for its fruit that
         resemble crab apples [syn: {medlar}, {medlar tree},
         {Mespilus germanica}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Medlar \Med"lar\, n. [OE. medler medlar tree, OF. meslier, F.
   n['e]flier, L. mespilum, mespilus, Gr. ?, ?. Cf.
   {Naseberry}.]
   A tree of the genus {Mespilus} ({Mespilus Germanica}); also,
   the fruit of the tree. The fruit is something like a small
   apple, but has a bony endocarp. When first gathered the flesh
   is hard and austere, and it is not eaten until it has begun
   to decay.
   [1913 Webster]

   {Japan medlar} (Bot.), the loquat. See {Loquat}.

   {Neapolitan medlar} (Bot.), a kind of thorn tree ({Crataegus
      Azarolus}); also, its fruit.
      [1913 Webster]