Medlars (Mespilus germanica), historical artwork. Medlars have an hard apple-like fruit, which needs to be left to soften and start to decay, before eating. Medlars were once commonly eaten in historical times, but are now rarely eaten. Here, a developing fruit is on the plant at centre, with a riper fruit at upper left. A flower is at upper right. Artwork from a book published in 1768.