#thursdaythrive   Pears!

1. There are over 3000 varieties of pears grown around the world.
2. Pears are native to Asia and Europe. The first pear tree was planted in the North America in 1620 in the Massachusetts Bay colony.
3. The Chinese considered the pear, which they call “li,” to be a symbol of immortality. The destruction of a pear tree symbolized tragic or untimely death.
4. Before tobacco was introduced in Europe, pear leaves were smoked.
5. The pear was sacred to two goddesses in Greek mythology – Hera and Aphrodite. It was also sacred to the corresponding Roman goddesses, Juno and Venus, as well as to Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruitfulness.
6. Towns with an abundance of pear trees often included the word Perry in the name of the town.