We have to low shrubs in our garden, that has small orange/red flowers in spring/summer and now (October) the turned into small yellow/orange apples. What is this and are these "apples" eatable, i.e. not poisoneous ( We noticed although that squirrels dont eat them, even though they ate all of our cherries this summer ) Thanks and I'm looking forward to hearing a lot ( hopefully identical ) answers Ursula
That could describe a few things, but my first guess would be Chaenomeles, flowering quince. Does it look like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaenomeles
Txs Eric, your first guess looks to be the right one. Anyway, we are going to try to make some marmelade. If you read in the newspaper that a whole family has been whiped out after breakfast, you will know that we shouldn't have eaten it Thanks again and have a nice day Ursula
Before sampling any, if you have one, you might want to post a photo here for better ID. Or take a sample to a local nursery, garden, or university or local extension office. I wouldn't eat anything that had not been positively ID'd. And I guessed from a loose description, so please get at least another opinion. It is easy to mistake plants and you really don't want to poison the family!
If it does turn out to be Chaenomeles, then they are edible, but only realistically after being cooked, to make jam etc.
This and other threads on Quince in this forum might be of interest: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=9337&highlight=quince Use the search function and look for either quince or chaenomeles.
