Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.

Loquat

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Loquat is an introduced evergreen shrub or small tree in the Rose family (Rosaceae). It is native to east-central China, but is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas for its fruit. In Alabama it is grown in the southern half of the state and can found persisting or rarely escaping on roadsides or in urban woodlands. It is a large shrub or small tree to 30 feet in height. Young stems are rusty pubescent. The bark on older stems and the trunk is smooth and gray-tan in color. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, lanceolate to elliptic in outline, thick and leathery in texture, with serrate margins. The leaves are dark green and leathery. The lower surface of the leaf is densely pubescent. Flowers are produced in terminal panicles. The branches of the panicles are densely pubescent. The fragrant flowers have an inferior ovary, 5 densely pubescent sepals, 5 white petals, and 20 stamens. The fruit is a pubescent yellowish-orange pome with 3-5 large shiny-black seed. Numerous varieties of Loquats are available from nurseries. They prefer a well-draining soil in full to partial sun. Loquat flowers in the fall and early winter and does best when planted in a sheltered spot such as near a near a south or west-facing wall. The fruit can be pealed and eaten raw or used for wines, pies, jams, and jellies.—A. Diamond.

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Native

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