The 1989 Baird and Thieret paper referenced in the article might be my favorite research paper ever. I read it soon after it came out in the reading room of my college library. After finishing it, I genuinely was uncertain whether it was a real paper or a Borgesian spoof. Bletted for months before it's edible? A Shakespearean insult? On the Unicorn Tapestry and I'd never heard of it?

Here's a full copy of the paper if this intrigues you: https://sci-hub.se/10.1007/BF02858732

Since then, I've confirmed that it actually exists. I've even tasted the fruit. It's... OK. It's a reasonably tasty spiced brown apple/pear sauce with a grainy texture, but with the spices already built in. I've got my own tree planted---more for the novelty than desire for the fruit---and hope I'll finally get a few of my own this year.

Edit: If you are looking for more bizarre ways the Medlar pops up in strange places, here's a page about its traditional use in Basque culture as a symbol of authority: https://alberdimakila.com/en/medlar-tree-wood-basque-walking...