Mespilus germanica or hawthorn, to improve their performance in different soils. "Mespilus germanica" fruits are hard and acidic, but become edible after being softened, 'bletted', by frost, or naturally in storage given sufficient time. Once softening begins, the skin rapidly takes on a wrinkled texture and turns dark brown, and the inside reduces to the consistency and flavour reminiscent of apple sauce. This process can confuse those new to medlars, as a softened fruit looks as if it has spoiled. Once bletted, the fruit can be eaten raw and is often eaten as a dessert, or used to make medlar jelly. They
Apple chat fruit MLO Apple chat fruit MLO Apple chat fruit MLO, also known as "apple small fruit" and "chat fruit of apple", is a mycoplasma-like organism (MLO) that affects only apple trees, specifically Lord Lambourne and Tydeman's Early Worcester, though in North America, Turley, Winesap, Jonathan, and Golden Delicious can be affected. Symptoms include delayed fruit development, smaller green apples during harvest, delayed fruit drop, and circular spots on the apples themselves. The disease is widespread throughout Europe, especially England and Wales, but is also present in parts of North America, South Africa, and New Zealand. There are no known insect vectors and