Open pollinated seedlings of PI 256000, X Sorbopyrus auricularis (Knoop) C. Schneider (CIGC 28.001). Clone PI 256000 is likely the Pyrus bollwilleriana of Lindley (1437) from which J. Decaisne in 1860 found only 13 well-formed seeds in 450 fruits. Decaisne generated several seedlings that varied from Sorbus-like to Pyrus-like, and one of these may be the large fruited triploid Sorbopyrus cultivar 'Shipova' (PI 260199) that is available in several home garden fruit nurseries today. I collected more than 200 ripe fruits from PI 256000 in August, 2007, and found only 6 well formed seeds. Following 60 days of cold, moist stratification, 3 of the seeds germinated. As 3 month old juvenile seedlings, one has glossier, more lanceolate shaped leaves that appear to be more pear-like, another has broader, slightly lobed leaves that appear to be more Sorbus-like. The third seedling is very dwarf and stunted, possibly a result of self pollination?Nearby trees that are possible pollen sources for these open pollinated seedlings are other intergeneric pome fruit accessions, a short row of Pyrus communis seedling trees, and the NCGR Cydonia, Mespilus and Sorbus field collections. - Joseph Postman 04/03/2008