Well-travelled loquats held in high regard
The loquat ( Eriobotrya japonica) is a species of flowering plant in the same family as roses, with fruits very similar to the medlar - it is sometimes known as the Japanese medlar.
Loquats come from the cooler hill country of China, Korea, Japan and in the northern Philippines and Sri Lanka where the fruits are very much esteemed by the local population.
A large evergreen shrub to small tree up to eight metres or so in height, loquats can be kept to much smaller proportions by topping them which makes for am much more bushy and manageable plant.
Loquat leaves are up to 25cm in length and are tough and leathery, dark green, above and densely felted below with a thick layer of yellow-brown hairs.
The young leaves are covered on the upper surface with whitish hairs, which soon disappear. Because of the toughness and hairiness of the leaves, loquats are almost immune to salt-laden winds, making them very suitable for planting in more exposed coastal conditions.
The succulent fruits of loquats are rounded, oval or pear-shaped and are held on the tips of branchlets. They ripen to a beautiful orangeapricot colour and have a flavour reminiscent of ripe cherries to a mixture of peach and mango according to different literature in the sweet varieties, to a more acidic tart flavour in others.
Originally the loquat was native to China but it has been spread to other Asian countries where it has become naturalised. It has also been dispersed by man, often Chinese immigrants, to many other parts of the world.
The loquat is very easy to grow in mild climates although it will stand mild frosts, with heavier frosts adversely affecting fruit production. It has the benefit of being comparatively disease free and is very long-lived.
The timber is very hard and durable with good quality timber being sought after by furniture makers in Central America.
Although not fussy as to soil loquats prefer a well-drained sandy soil with plenty of compost mixed in, plus a light dressing of artificial fertiliser applied around the drip-line during the growing season.
Over 800 loquat varieties are recorded in Asia and nurserymen in the West are producing sweeter and larger varieties all the time. Japan is the leading producer of loquats, with Brazil, Spain and Israel also being major growers.
Loquat fruits have a high sugar, acid and pectin content making it commonly used for Jellies, jams and chutneys and relishes.