Loquat - Revision history

Raffi at 17:02, 14 April 2011

2011-04-14T17:02:37Z

Show changes

Murali.lalitha at 17:27, 13 December 2009

2009-12-13T17:27:11Z

Raffi at 05:44, 26 September 2009

2009-09-26T05:44:36Z

Superineficaz: /* Gallery */

2009-07-10T18:03:22Z

Gallery

Superineficaz: /* Gallery */

2009-07-10T17:59:35Z

Gallery

Raffi: plantbox info

2009-04-18T14:47:04Z

plantbox info

Raffi: this information is used with special permission from CRFG

2009-04-18T14:43:22Z

this information is used with special permission from CRFG

Show changes

Envoy at 11:15, 12 September 2007

2007-09-12T11:15:20Z

New page

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Loquat
| image = Eriobotrya japonica2.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Loquat fruit approaching maturity
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Rosales]]
| familia = [[Rosaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Maloideae]]
| genus = ''[[Eriobotrya]]''
| species = '''''E. japonica'''''
| binomial = ''Eriobotrya japonica''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carl Peter Thunberg|Thunb.]]) [[John Lindley|Lindl.]]
| synonyms = ''Mespilus japonica'' <br> ''Photinia japonica''
}}

The '''loquat''' (''Eriobotrya japonica'') is a fruit tree in the subfamily [[Maloideae]] of the family [[Rosaceae]], indigenous to southeastern [[China]].

==Description==
It is an [[evergreen]] large [[shrub]] or small [[tree]], with a rounded crown, short trunk and woolly new twigs. The tree can grow to 5-10 m tall, but is often smaller, about 3-4 m.

The [[leaf|leaves]] are alternate, simple, 10-25 cm long, dark green, tough and leathery in texture, with a serrated margin, and densely velvety-hairy below with thick yellow-brown pubescence; the young leaves are also densely pubescent above, but this soon rubs off.

Loquats are unusual among fruit trees in that the [[flower]]s appear in the autumn or early winter, and the fruits are ripe in late winter or early spring. The flowers are 2 cm diameter, white, with five petals, and produced in stiff [[panicle]]s of three to ten flowers.

Loquat fruits, growing in clusters, are oval, rounded or pear-shaped, 3-5 cm 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 five ovules, of which three to five mature into large brown seeds. The skin, though thin, can be peeled off manually if the fruit is ripe.

[[Image:BlossomingLoquat.jpg||left|thumb|Loquat in flower. This is a [[cultivar]] intended for home-growing, where the flowers open gradually, and thus the fruit also ripens gradually, compared to the commercially grown species where the flowers open almost simultaneously, and the whole tree's fruit also ripens together.]]

==Use==
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]], [[fruit preserves|jelly]], and [[chutney]], and are delicious poached in light [[syrup]].

A type of loquat syrup is used in [[Chinese medicine]] for soothing the throat like a [[cough drop]]. Combined with other ingredients and known as ''pipa gao'' (枇杷膏; pinyin: [[Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa|pípágāo]]; literally "loquat paste"), it is acts as a [[demulcent]] and an [[expectorant]], as well as to soothe the digestive and respiratory systems. Loquats can also be used to make wine.

Like most related plants, the seeds (pips) and young leaves of the plant are slightly poisonous, containing small amounts of cyanogenetic glycocides which release [[cyanide]] when digested, though the low concentration and bitter flavour normally prevents enough being eaten to cause harm.

==History==
The Loquat was introduced into [[Japan]] and became [[naturalisation (biology)|naturalised]] there in very early times, and has been cultivated there for over 1,000 years. It has also become naturalised in [[India]] and many other areas. Chinese immigrants are presumed to have carried the loquat to [[Hawaii]].

The Loquat was often mentioned in ancient Chinese literature, such as the poems of [[Li Bai]].

==Production==
[[Japan]] is the leading producer of loquats, followed by [[Israel]] and [[Brazil]]. In [[Bermuda]], the loquat is a very popular fruit, usually available from February thru April, and is commonly used in loquat jam. They are also grown in [[Turkey]], [[Pakistan]], [[Syria]], [[Lebanon]], [[Greece]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Armenia]], Southern [[Italy]], [[Malta]], [[Portugal]], [[Spain]] (particularly around the town of [[Callosa d'en Sarrià]]), the south of [[France]], [[New Zealand]] and northern [[Africa]].

==Cultivation==
The Loquat is easy to grow and is often also grown as an [[ornamental tree]]; it was commonly grown in [[California]] by the 1870s. It also thrives in the humid south-east Texas (Houston) climate, as well as all over Israel. The boldly textured foliage adds a tropical look to gardens, contrasting well with many other plants.

==Etymology==
The name loquat derives from ''lou4 gwat1'', the [[Cantonese (linguistics)|Cantonese]] pronunciation of its old classical Chinese name ({{zh-stp|s=芦橘|t=蘆橘|p=lújú}}, literally "reed orange"). In modern Chinese, it is more commonly known as ''pipa'' ({{zh-cp|c=枇杷|p=pípá}}), from the resemblance of its shape to that of the Chinese musical instrument [[pipa]] (琵琶). Likewise, in [[Japanese language|Japanese]] it is called ''biwa'', similarly named from the corresponding musical instrument, [[biwa]]. It is also known as the "Japanese [[medlar]]", an appellation used in many languages: ''nêspera'' or ''magnório'' ([[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]), ''níspero'' ([[Spanish language|Spanish]]), ''lokaat'' ([[Hindi]]), ''nespola'' ([[Italian language|Italian]]), náspolya (Hungarian), ''nespra'' ([[Catalan language|Catalan]]), ''nèfle du Japon'' or ''bibasse'' ([[French language|French]]). Other names include: ''sheseq'' ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]), ''Askidinya'', ''Akkidinya'', ''Igadinya'' or ''Bashmala'' ([[Arabic language|Arabic]]), ''Zaa-ror'', ''Akkadeneh'' or ''Akka Dhuniya'' ([[Lebanese Arabic|Lebanese]]), ''zger'' or ''Nor Ashkhar'' ([[Armenian language|Armenian]]), ''mushmala'' ([[Georgian language|Georgian]]), ''mousmoula'' or ''mespilia'' ([[Greek language|Greek]]), ''muşmula'', ''yeni dünya'', or ''Malta Eriği'' in [[Turkish language|Turkish]]. In both Turkish and Armenian the name literally means "new world."

== See also ==
*[[Kumquat]] [Although Kumquats are not related botanically to Loquats, the the two names come from the same Chinese word for "orange."]

== External links ==
* [http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/loquat.html Loquat Fruit Facts from the California Rare Fruit Growers]
* [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/loquat.html Loquat page from Purdue University Center for New Crops & Plant Products site]

{{commons|Loquat}}

[[Category:Maloideae]]
[[Category:Flora of China]]
[[Category:Accessory fruit]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:27, 13 December 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
		+	{{SPlantbox
		+	\|genus=Loquat
		+	\|Min ht metric=cm
		+	\|Temp Metric=°F
		+	\|image=Upload.png
		+	\|image_width=240
		+	}}
		+	{{Inc\|
		+	Loquat. Fig. 2212. The loquat, or biwa of the Japanese (Eriobotrya japonica, Lindl.), is a small evergreen fruit tree with handsome foliage, considered to be a native of China and Japan. It has long been cultivated in those countries as well as in northern India; within recent years it has become fairly common in the Mediterranean basin, especially in Algeria and Sicily, and in the milder sections of the United States. In Florida and the Gulf States it is seen in dooryards and gardens, but is rarely planted in orchard form; in California its cultivation is conducted commercially. It is also grown in some tropical regions, but does not succeed so well as in the subtropics. In Japan the annual production is said to be over 20,000,000 pounds.
		+
		+	The tree, which attains an ultimate height of about 25 feet, is more or less densely clothed with elliptical to oblong-obovate, nearly sessile, remotely toothed deep green leaves, varying from 6 to 10 inches or more in length. The small, white, very fragrant flowers, which are produced in fall, are borne in crowded woolly panicles 4 to 7 inches long. The fruit, which ripens in spring, varies in shape from spherical to pyriform, in color from pale yellow to deep orange, and in the best varieties is sometimes 3 inches in length. The skin is thin and smooth, but tougher than that of an apple. The flesh is firm and meaty in some varieties, more melting in others, almost white to salmon-orange in color, juicy, and of a sprightly flavor suggestive of a cherry. The seeds, which are about ¾ inch long and dark brown in color, vary from one to eight or nine in number, four or five being common. They occupy a large amount of space in the center of the fruit, the reduction of the proportion of seed to flesh being one of the points most sought in breeding. The loquat is eaten while fresh or is made into pies, jams, jellies, preserves and the like.
		+
		+	The tree is successful on a wide variety of soils, but has done best on clay loam. Ikeda, a Japanese authority, considers that the fruit reaches its highest degree of perfection when grown near the seacoast. For orchard-planting a piece of well-drained land should be chosen, and the trees set 20 to 24 feet apart. Their culture presents few difficulties; in fact the loquat will thrive and produce good crops with less care than many other fruit trees. It does not require a great amount of fertilizer on reasonably good soils, but leguminous cover-crops have been found highly beneficial. Occasional pruning is required to admit light to the center of the tree, and to keep the branches somewhat thinned out. To obtain fruit of good size and best commercial value, it may be desirable to thin the crop as soon as the young fruits have set, leaving no more in a cluster than the tree can properly mature. Picking for market should be done when the fruit has lost its acidity and is fully ripe; if picked too soon the loquat is quite sour. For jelly only acid fruit is used. When packed in boxes holding about thirty pounds, the fruit can be shipped successfully to nearby markets, but for distant markets smaller packages and great care in packing are necessary.
		+
		+	Pear blight (Bacillus amylovorus) and loquat scab (Fusicladiurn eriobotryae) are at times troublesome in the California orchards, and a borer is reported from Japan which occasionally attacks the tree.
		+
		+	While in many countries the loquat is usually propagated from seed, there is as much variation among the seedlings as with other tree-fruits, and good varieties can be perpetuated only by some vegetative means of propagation. Both budding and grafting are practised, budding being the method preferred in the United States, and usually employed when trees are desired for commercial planting. Seedlings are often planted in dooryards, where they not only serve as admirable ornamental trees, but produce an abundance of reasonably good fruit. In budding and grafting, seedling loquats are generally used as stocks. When budded on quince, the tree is considerably dwarfed; this stock is sometimes used, however, because its fibrous root- system readily permits of transplanting. Seeds should be planted as soon as removed from the fruit, either singly in pots, or in flats from which they can be potted off later on. A light loam should be used, covering the seeds to a depth of about 1 inch. When the young plants have attained a height of 6 or 7 inches, they may be planted in nursery rows in the open ground, where they can be grown until the stems are about ½ inch in diameter at the base, when they are ready for budding. This is best done during October or November, depending upon climatic conditions. The buds are allowed to lie dormant until early spring, when they must be forced into growth. Budwood should be of young and smooth wood, preferably that which has turned brown and lost its pubescence, and from which the leaves have dropped. Shield-budding, essentially the same as practised with the citrous fruits, is the method commonly used. The buds should be cut somewhat larger than for the orange, preferably not less than 1 ½ inches in length. After inserting them in T-incisions made in the stocks at a convenient point not far above the ground, they should be tied with raffia, soft cotton string, or waxed tape, and left about three weeks, when they should have formed a union. At this time they may be unwrapped, and if necessary, rewrapped loosely, so as to allow the buds to start into growth. When not rewrapped, the bark sometimes opens up around the bud and exposes it to the air, causing its death. The stock must be cut back to a point about 3 inches above the bud, and all adventitious buds rubbed off as fast as they make their appearance. Difficulty is sometimes experienced in forcing the bud into growth.
		+
		+	In grafting, a simple cleft graft is used, with a cion of about the diameter of a lead pencil, and of well- matured wood.
		+
		+	Most of the named varieties of the loquat have originated in Japan, Algeria and California. Ikeda mentions forty-six varieties of Japanese origin, of which eight are recommended as the best for cultivation. Trabut of Algiers describes twelve varieties of Algerian origin, though none of them is considered so desirable, from a commercial standpoint, as Tanaka, with the possible exception of Taza, which resulted from a cross between Tanaka and one of the local forms. Tanaka is of Japanese origin, but has been grown in Algeria for several years, and also to a very limited extent in California, where it has not, however, become as popular as several varieties of local origin. Most of the varieties originated in the United States have been produced by C. P. Taft, of Orange, California, who has done more to improve the loquat than any other man. Among the best may be mentioned Advance, a bright yellow, pyriform fruit, sometimes 3 inches in length, produced in very large, compact clusters and ripening from March to June; Champagne, oval to pyriform, 2 to 3 inches in length, white-fleshed, produced in clusters as large as those of Advance but less compact, considered the best of all in flavor; Premier, oval, not quite so large as Advance, salmon- orange in color; Victor, a very large and showy fruit, in loose clusters, not considered valuable in California because it ripens late in the season; Early Red, a pyriform, deep orange-colored fruit, 1 to 2 inches in length, produced in medium-sized clusters, valuable because it is the earliest of all, commencing to ripen in late January. Tanaka is an attractive fruit of large size and deep orange-color, with unusually good shipping qualities, but it ripens too late to be of commercial value in California. The earliest fruits are the ones which yield the greatest returns, because they come into market at a time when fresh fruits are scarce.
		+	}}
		+
	__NOTOC__{{Plantbox		__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
	\| name = ''Eriobotrya japonica''		\| name = ''Eriobotrya japonica''

@@ Line 41: / Line 41: @@
 :''More information about this species can be found on the [[Eriobotrya|genus page]].''
 ==Cultivation==
 [[Image:BlossomingLoquat.jpg|thumb|Loquat in flower. This is a [[cultivar]] intended for home-growing, where the flowers open gradually, and thus the fruit also ripens gradually, compared to the commercially grown species where the flowers open almost simultaneously, and the whole tree's fruit also ripens together.]]
 '''Location''': Loquats are wind tolerant and grow best in full sun, but also do well in partial shade. The round headed trees can be used to shade a patio. Loquats also make attractive espaliers.

@@ Line 104: / Line 104: @@
 <gallery>
 Image:Loquat1.jpg| Loquat tree, central Florida
 </gallery>

@@ Line 101: / Line 101: @@
 ==Gallery==
 <gallery>
-Image:Upload.png| photo 1
+Image:Loquat1.jpg| Loquat tree, central Florida
 </gallery>

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 | common_names = Loquat, Japanese medlar, Nispero
 | growth_habit = tree
-| high =     <!--- 1m (3 ft) -->
+| high = ?m (10-30 ft)
 | wide =     <!--- 65cm (25 inches) -->
 | origin = SE China
 | poisonous =     <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->
-| lifespan =     <!--- perennial, annual, etc -->
+| lifespan = perennial
 | exposure =     <!--- full sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) -->
-| water =     <!--- frequent, regular, moderate, drought tolerant, let dry then soak -->
+| water = drought tolerant
-| features =     <!--- flowers, fragrance, fruit, naturalizes, invasive -->
+| features = fragrance, fruit
-| hardiness =     <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 5°C (40°F), etc -->
+| hardiness = ?°C (12°F)
 | bloom =     <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for its flowers -->
-| usda_zones =     <!--- eg. 8-11 -->
+| usda_zones = 7-11
 | sunset_zones =     <!--- eg. 8, 9, 12-24, not available -->
 | color = IndianRed
@@ Line 65: / Line 65: @@
 '''Soil''': Loquats grow well on a variety of soils of moderate fertility, from light sandy loam to heavy clay and even limestone soils, but need good drainage.
-Irrigation: Loquat trees are drought tolerant, but they will produce higher quality fruit with regular, deep watering. The trees should be watered at the swelling of blossoms and 2 to 3 waterings should be given during harvest time. The trees will not tolerate standing water.
+'''Irrigation''': Loquat trees are drought tolerant, but they will produce higher quality fruit with regular, deep watering. The trees should be watered at the swelling of blossoms and 2 to 3 waterings should be given during harvest time. The trees will not tolerate standing water.
 '''Fertilizing''': Loquats benefit from regular, light applications of nitrogen fertilizers, but too much nitrogen will reduce flowering. A good formula for applications of chemical fertilizer is 1 lb. of 6-6-6 NPK three times a year during the period of active growth for each tree 8 to 10 feet in height. To control excessive growth, other authorities recommend fertilizing only once a year in midwinter.