Chaenomeles japonica - Japanese Flowering Quince

Japanese Flowering Quince is distinct from other species by its low habit, usually less than 1 m tall, smaller obovate to spoon-shaped leaves with saw-toothed margin and smaller fruits less than 5 cm in diameter. Branches are slender, often purple and hairy when young, stipules large, kidney-shaped, 8-10 mm with serrate margin. Leaves are alternate, spoon-shaped or obovate, 3-5 cm long, 2-3 cm broad, margin saw-toothed, leaf-stalk less than 5 mm. Flowers are red, 3-4 cm across, in fascicles of 3-5; sepals ovate, 4-5 mm long; petals obovate or suborbicular; stamens numerous; fruit 3-4 cm in diameter, yellow when ripe. Japanese Flowering Quince is closely related to the Quince (Cydonia oblonga) and the Chinese Quince (Pseudocydonia sinensis), differing in the serrated leaves, and in the flowers having deciduous sepals and styles that are fused at the base. Flowering Quince is now a popular garden plant in India.