Loquat
| Loquat | ||||||||||||||
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| Scientific Classification | ||||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Eribotrya japonica |
The Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a tree and fruit of the family Rosaceae, also known as Japanese medlar, Nispero or Sheseq.
The loquat is indigenous to southeastern China. It was introduced into Japan and became naturalized there in very early times. It has been cultivated in Japan for over 1,000 years. It has also become naturalized in India and many other areas. Chinese immigrants are presumed to have carried the loquat to Hawaii. It was common as a small-fruited ornamental in California in the 1870's. Japan is the leading producer of loquats, followed by Israel and Brazil; loquats are also grown in Turkey, Lebanon, Greece, Southern Italy, Spain, the South of France and North Africa.
Loquats are unusual among fruit trees, in that the flowers appear in the fall or early winter, and the fruits are ripe in late winter or early spring.
Loquat fruits, growing in clusters, are oval, rounded or pear-shaped, 1 to 2 inches long with a smooth or downy, yellow or orange, sometimes red-blushed skin. The succulent, tangy flesh is white, yellow or orange and sweet to subacid or acid, depending on the cultivar. Each fruit contains three to five large brown seeds. The fruit should be peeled prior to eating; the skin, though thin, can be pulled off manually if the fruit is ripe.
The loquat is comparable to the apple in many aspects, with a high sugar, acid and pectin content. It is eaten as a fresh fruit and mixes well with other fruits in fresh fruit salads or fruit cups. Firm, slightly immature fruits are best for making pies or tarts. The fruits are also commonly used to make jam, jelly and chutney, and are delicious poached in light syrup. Loquats can also be used to make wine.
The loquat plant is a large evergreen shrub or small tree with a rounded crown, short trunk and woolly new twigs. The tree can grow 20 to 30 ft. high, but is usually much smaller than this--about 10 ft. Loquats are easy to grow and are often used as an ornamental. Their boldly textured foliage add a tropical look to the garden and contrast well with many other plants.
External links
Passages from this article are quoted, with permission, from the Loquat Fruit Facts document on the web site of the California Rare Fruit Growers.