Pear-shaped lumia

Pera del Commendatore

Citrus × lumia ‘Pyriformis’ · horticultural name

A pear-shaped citrus

Shape: Pear-like
Rind: Thick
Character: Sculptural

A living collection

Meet the tree

Pera del Commendatore is a historic ornamental lumia whose large fruit has a distinctly pear-like outline. The name describes its shape rather than a relationship with true pears.

The plant has vigorous, spreading growth, substantial leaves and scented flowers. Its large fruit, thick rind and relatively limited juice give it a sculptural presence in a garden.

The collection document discusses its complex citrus ancestry. Historical horticultural names in this group do not always match a single modern taxonomic interpretation, so precise parentage is not presented here as settled.

Southern Italy is a documented area of cultivation. Ripening is extended and may vary with flowering cycles and local conditions. Its principal interest in this collection is botanical and ornamental: an opportunity to discover how varied a citrus fruit can be.

A citrus journey

Southern Italy

Historical distribution: Calabria and Sicily, documented by CREA. The cultivar’s exact place of origin is not established.

The rhythm of the year

December — March

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

● Indicative ripening / availability

Nursery reference from Gabbianelli. Other sources describe a wider season; climate and repeat flowering can shift it.

Weather, flowering and cultivation can shift these periods.

Here, in the garden

Look closely

Look for the narrowing near the stalk: this silhouette, rather than its colour, recalls a pear. Botanically it remains a citrus fruit.

Sources & botanical notes

Adapted from the Villa Bizzarria citrus collection document, with botanical checks and the references below. Seasonal windows are reference observations, not a guarantee of ripe fruit at the villa.

Map: Natural Earth · simplified, indicative markers. Updated: 22.09.2026.