Common Name: Loquat

General Information

Eriobotrya japonica is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a dense, rounded crown; it can grow 5 - 10 metres tall. It has a straight, low-branched bole up to 1 metre long[, ].
A popular fruit in China and Japan, where the plant is often cultivated. The tree is also often used in traditional medicine and has various other local uses. The plant is also grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

The seed is slightly poisonous. This report probably refers to the hydrogen cyanide that is found in many plants of this family, the seed should only be used in small amounts if it is bitter[]. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southern China

Habitat

Not known in the wild[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	9.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees, Flies
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Eriobotrya japonica is a plant of the subtropics and temperate zones with very mild winters, it can be cultivated in the tropics at elevations above 600 metres, growing best at 1,000 - 2,300 metres[]. The best fruit quality is however often obtained in regions close to the sea[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 21 - 27°c, but can tolerate 9 - 36°c[]. The dormant plant can survive temperatures down to about -12°c, but the flowers and young leaves can be killed at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 600 - 1,600mm, but tolerates 400 - 4,000mm[].
Prefers a fertile well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[]. Succeeds in any well-drained soil but dislikes too much lime[]. Prefers to be near the coast, tolerating maritime exposure but disliking cold winds[]. Tolerates dry soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 8[].
A productive and regular bearer, barring crop failure resulting from severe frosts at flowering time, the tree rarely fails to produce well every year. The tendency is to overbear, with the result that the fruits are apt to be undersized. It has been profitable to thin the crop, since the increased size of the fruits remaining on the tree more than compensates for the fruits removed[303.
In India the average fruit yield per tree is 16 - 20 kilos per year, but yields can be up to about 100 kilos per tree. Average yield in Japan is about 8 tonnes/ha and the highest yield recorded is 25 tonnes/ha in Israel[].
Often cultivated for its edible fruit in warm temperate regions, there are more than 800 cultivars in Japan[]. 'Advance' is a dwarf tree with very juicy fruits[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw, cooked or preserved[]. A slightly acid, sweet aromatic flavour[], they can be eaten out of hand or cooked in pies, sauces, jellies etc[]. Loquat pie, if made from fruit that is not fully ripe, is said to taste like cherry pie[]. The globose, pale yellow to deep orange fruit is up to 4cm in diameter[, ]. A nutritional analysis is available[].

Seed - cooked. A pleasant flavour[]. The seed is used as an almond-like flavouring in drinks and cakes[]. Caution is advised if the seed is bitter, see notes at top of the page.

The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[, , ].

Medicinal

The loquat is one of the most popular cough remedies in the Far East, it is the ingredient of many patent medicines[].

The leaves are analgesic, antibacterial, antiemetic, antitussive, antiviral, astringent, diuretic and expectorant[, , , , , ]. A decoction of the leaves or young shoots is used as an intestinal astringent and as a mouthwash in cases of thrush and also in the treatment of bronchitis, coughs, feverish colds etc[, ]. The leaves are harvested as required and can be used fresh or dried[]. The hairs should be removed from the leaves in order to prevent irritation of the throat[].

The flowers are expectorant[, ].

The fruit is slightly astringent, expectorant and sedative[, ]. It is used in allaying vomiting and thirst[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The fairly dense crown, and compact trunk, make this species useful for shade and as a windbreak. The large leaves are suitable for mulch[].

Other Uses

The flowers have insect repellent properties[, ].

The flowers emit a most potent oriental perfume[]. They can be used in perfume production[].

The heartwood is pale purple-brown with darker streaks, it is not clearly differentiated from the sapwood. The grain is straight and close, with an attractive silvery look; the texture is fine and even; when seasoned the wood is occasionally slightly fragrant. The wood is hard, medium-weight to heavy. It has very little tendency to split or check, and takes a good polish. It is suitable for poles and posts, carving and drawing materials such as rulers, and is in demand for making stringed musical instruments[, , ].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold fame in the spring[]. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours and sow late winter in a warm greenhouse[, ]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 4 months at 20°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, mid summer in a frame[].
Cuttings of softwood, spring in a frame[].
Air layering[].