Little Quiz (botanical) this morning... pics (complete)

[cyprusmax47]

On one of my last trips I found this quite large tree and think I must be very old. Sure there are members out who know the name... (M...h)


Very nice trunk which indicates it is old...


and plenty of fruits..(tiny)


Max

[cyprusmax47]

I'm going to hazard a guess at quince, but neither that name, nor the botanical name matches the clue you gave.

Quince foliage (from online pics) also appears to closely resemble that shown in your photos.

Fruits of Quince in September would have their proper size already (like a apple) so you have to guess again...

Max

[memory man]

Could it be Pomelo?

[cyprusmax47]

Could it be Pomelo?

Fruits of Pomelo are double in size of an apple....the fruits of the Quiz tree are tiny as I said.

Max

[cyprusmax47]

Another hint: the tree is next to the church of a Monastery complex..

Max

[surreyboy]

It's a loquat.

[Robert]

It's a loquat.

Can you eat them?

[surreyboy]

Loquats are edible, although I believe the seeds/stones can contain toxins.

[cyprusmax47]

I know this was not an easy Quiz. In all this time I am in Cyprus (first 1970) I cannot remember seeing such a huge Myhrr tree. Also Mr.Google was not much help in this case. I believe that the tree was planted in the 15th century when the church was erected. I am planning to do a Blog in the near future from this Monastery if Dominic agrees to it.
The tree is a Commiphora. Wikipedia: "

The genus of the myrrhs, Commiphora, is the most species-rich genus of flowering plants in the frankincense and myrrh family, Burseraceae. The genus contains approximately 190 species of shrubs and trees, which are distributed throughout the (sub-) tropical regions of Africa, the western Indian Ocean islands, the Arabian Peninsula, India, and Vietnam.[1][2] The genus is drought-tolerant and common throughout the xerophytic scrub, seasonally dry tropical forests, and woodlands of these regions."

Another interesting information about myths in Cyprus, also Wikipedia :

Myrrha (Greek: Μύρρα), also known as Smyrna (Greek: Σμύρνα), is the mother of Adonis in Greek mythology. She was transformed into a myrrh tree after having had intercourse with her father and gave birth to Adonis as a tree. Although the tale of Adonis has Semitic roots, it is uncertain from where the myth of Myrrha emerged, though it was likely from Cyprus.

The myth details the incestuous relationship between Myrrha and her father, Cinyras. Myrrha falls in love with her father and tricks him into sexual intercourse. After discovering her identity, Cinyras draws his sword and pursues Myrrha. She flees across Arabia and, after nine months, turns to the gods for help. They take pity on her and transform her into a myrrh tree. While in plant form, Myrrha gives birth to Adonis. According to legend, the aromatic exudings of the myrrh tree are Myrrha's tears....."

Max

[Kili01]

To me it looks like a carob tree, especially in the photos showing the trunk. You can see where some branches have been removed as they have to be from time to time as these huge old trees need some pruning to keep growth in check. I have six of these trees in my garden,which were here when we bought the plot originally. All carob trees are Govt protected,so you are not supposed to cut them down. Though develpoers seem to get away with this!

In the past the carob beans were a cash crop and were harvested every year.Their seed were the weight of one carat. Now a days, the ones near Anogyra village are harvested to make carob products, including carob syrup, toffee and even a carob power from which you can make a hot chocolate tasting drink which find a market.Or they may be shredded. They are a favouite treat for donkeys!

Dee

[Kili01]

To me it looks like a carob tree, especially in the photos showing the trunk. You can see where some branches have been removed as they have to be from time to time as these huge old trees need some pruning to keep growth in check. I have six of these trees in my garden,which were here when we bought the plot originally. All carob trees are Govt protected,so you are not supposed to cut them down. Though develpoers seem to get away with this!

In the past the carob beans were a cash crop and were harvested every year.Their seed were the weight of one carat. Now a days, the ones near Anogyra village are harvested to make carob products, including carob syrup, toffee and even a carob power from which you can make a hot chocolate tasting drink which find a market.Or they may be shredded. They are a favouite treat for donkeys!

Dee

[PaphosAL]

I believe carob is fondly referred to by locals as 'black gold'?

[cyprusmax47]

To me it looks like a carob tree, especially in the photos showing the trunk. You can see where some branches have been removed as they have to be from time to time as these huge old trees need some pruning to keep growth in check.

Dee

As you have carob trees in your garden you can easily see that the leaves are very different. Carob have very hardy leaves, flower and fruits look also completely different. While this type Myrrh tree has nice flowers (link below!) as well as unripe berries...

close up of the Myrrh Tree at the Monastery


further one nice photo from Wikipedia showing flowers and leaves...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrtus#/m ... mmunis.jpg

Incidentally, I have > 30 carob trees at my property and I hate the smell when they have the flowers. At the moment is harvest of the black fruits...

Max