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{{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]]
| 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]]