Hanoians are delighted to see the stunning wild pear flowers adorning Hanoi streets on these early winter days.
Although there are still nearly two months more until the Vietnamese traditional Lunar New Year (which usually falls in February in the western calendar), many traders in Quang An flower market (Quang An Ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi) have already displayed the wild pear flower for sale instead of late February next year as usual.
Extreme weather has caused the wild pear flowers to bloom earlier than normal. They are available in Hanoi from the mountainous provinces of Lao Cai, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Yen Bai, and Bac Kan.
The beautiful branches of vivid pure white flowers. |
According to a seller in Quang Ba Flower Market, branches of wild pear flowers with beautiful shapes and loads of flower buds are much sought after. The type of flower has its own distinct beauty that no other flowers can compare to. |
Moreover, pear flowers are usually very durable. The flowers bloom for about a month, but with professional care, the blooming time can be two to three months. |
The price of a branch is quite high compared to other decoration plants for Tet, at around VND300,000 (US$15) to VND5,000,000 ($120), depending on the shape of the flower and the number of flower buds. |
The branches of pear flowers which are covered with lichens and moldy moss show the wildness of nature. An old wild pear flower branch in beautiful shape might cost some million Vietnam dong. |
This is a good time to buy a branch of wild pear flowers for adorning the houses even before the traditional Lunar New Year festival. |
Small branches of wild pear flowers are most favored by customers for the family’s altar decoration. Some prefer big branches to adorn living rooms. |
In science, the wild pear flower is called Pyrus Pashia Buch. In Vietnamese traditional medicine, its branches and leaves are used as an antidiarrheal agent, and its flowers are used as a herbal medicine for lowering blood lipids. |
