Eriobotrya japonica is also known as the loquat, or the Japanese medlar. It is an ornemental evergreen tree with evergreen leaves, that is native to southeastern China, and have long been introduced to Japan, hence its name. This tree can reach more than 25 ft (8 m). It has fragrant white-cream flowers in winter, and bears golden to orange edible fruits.
The seeds contain amygdalin and traces of arsenic, and are toxic.
The Japanese medlar should not be confused with the common medlar, Mespilus germanica, that is a deciduous tree.
The loquat is a frost hardy tree that can withstand negative temperatures such as 10°F. (-12°C) However, flowers and young fruits are likely to be frozen below 26°F. (-3°C)
The Japanese medlar has an evergreen foliage. The leaves are lanceolate and can be 12 in (30 cm) long. They are coriaceous and serrate, glossy and dark-green on the upper face, and leathery and pale-green beneath, with strong veins.
The Japanese meddlar has hairy flowers (many parts of this tree being hairy, hence its genus name Eriobotrya that comes from the ancient Greek erion, that means wool.)
Flowers are white-cream, small and fragrant. They are assembled into panicles (as also suggests its genus name, botrus meaning cluster) that generally bloom in winter.
Loquat are rounded or pyriform fruits, that are up to 2 inches (5 cm) long, with a golden to deep orange skin.
The flesh is white to golden, and is very juicy and well-perfumed. It has a pleasing acidic flavor.
This fruit has several dark-brown oval and smooth seeds that can be up to .8 in (2 cm) long.
Eriobotrya japonica requiert les expositions suivantes : lumière,soleil The japanese meddlar can be grown in a relatively large range of soils, but prefers a well-drained and fertile, slightly acidic to neutral ground.
Photos of loquat |
Category - tree
Dimensions
Height 8.00 m
Width 5.00 m
Minimum temperatures
The plant is likely to die as soon as temperature is below -12.0 °C
Leaves and other aerial parts are damaged as soon as temperatures drops to -10.0 °C
Exposure - light, full sun
Leaves - evergreen
Flowers - Fragrant flowers
Fruit - Edible Propagation - grafting, layering, seeds The loquat can be easily propagated by seeds, given they are fresh enough. Many ornemental loquats are propagated this way. With this method, fruits are generally small, but some of these seedlings give good quality fruits.
However, grafting is often practised to keep the quality of a given variery. Rootstocks are generally quinces or loquat seedlings. Using quinces as rootstock results in smaller trees, while seedling loquats used as rootstock leads to more vigourous trees.
Toxicity Warning, this plant contains toxic parts.
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