What is Pear?
{{Automatic taxobox | name = Pear | image = Pears.jpg | image_caption = [[European pear]] branch with two pears | image2 = Pear DS.jpg | image2_caption = Pear fruit cross section | display_parents = 3 | taxon = Pyrus | authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]] | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = About 30 species; see text }} The term '''pear''' may refer to a number of fruits produced and consumed around the world, growing on a tree and harvested in the Northern Hemisphere in late summer into October. Its shape is a teardrop, the flavor of pears is best when they are cool. They are juicy. Pears do not ripen well on trees. They can be soft in the center. They can be baked, canned, frozen, or eaten fresh. They can be made into [[jam]]s, [[Jelly|jellies]] or [[juice]]. They can also be made into [[pie]]s and put into [[salad]]s or baby food. They are eighty three percent water. It has a [[green]], [[red]], [[yellow]], or [[brown]] [[skin]]. The pear originated from Europe, Africa and Asia. Pear trees grow in heavy soil. Pears are in the [[subfamily]] [[Maloideae]] with [[apple]]s. It is a subfamily of the [[family (biology)|family]] ''[[Rosaceae]]''. ==Description== The pear comes from the tree Pyrus communis, also called the common pear tree. The tree can be {{convert|10|to|20|m|abbr=off}} high. They live an average of 65 years. It starts as a pyramid-shaped tree. As it grows becomes rounded. It ends up becoming oval. This tree has gray bark covered with cracks. Its leaves are dark green and {{convert|10| cm|abbr=off}} long. The flowers are pink or white and up to {{convert|1.5| cm|abbr=off}} long.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/447953/pear|title=pear - tree and fruit|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|accessdate=12 March 2015}}</ref> The pear needs soil that is neither too dry nor too wet. It grows best in temperate and humid climates. According to Pear Bureau Northwest, about 3000 known varieties of pears are grown worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://usapears.com