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Eriobotrya japonica

Authority	(Thunb.) Lindl.
Family	Magnoliopsida:Rosidae:Rosales:Rosaceae
Synonyms	Eryobotria japonica, Mespilus japonica Thunb., Photinia japonica
Common names	biwa, Japanese medlar, Japanese plum, lokh-wot, lokwat, loquat, Mispel, neflier du Japon, nespolo, nhot tay, nispereros, papalaan, pee-pae, so'n tra nhatban', ti ba diep, ton leap
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Ecocrop code	1002

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION An evergreen shrub or small tree reaching 5-10 m in height, with a straight low-branched trunk and a dense rounded crown. Fruits a globose or ovoid pome 3-8 cm x 2-5 cm, pale yellow to deep orange and densely pubescent. USES The sweet-sour, juicy fruits are rich in vitamin C, potassium, and carbohydrates, they are eaten fresh, cooked, or used for jellies. The juice can be used to prepare an alcoholic drink. The seeds are used to flavour (almond-like taste) drinks and cakes. Leaves and young branches are used as feed for goats. The wood can be used to make stringed music instruments. Fruits and leaves have medicinal properties and the flowers have insect repellent properties and can also be used in perfume production. It can be grown as an ornamental. KILLING T Flowers and young fruit will not tolerate frost, while the dormant tree may survive -10°C to -12°C. GROWING PERIOD Perennial. COMMON NAMES Loquat, Japanese medlar, Japan-plum, Nispero del Japon, Nespola giapponese, Neflier du Japon, Bibace, Lokwat, Papalaan, Ton leap, Lokhwot, Lukuh, Pee-pae, Pi-pa, Biwa, Ti ba diep, So'n tra nhatban', Nhot tay. FURTHER INF Scientific synonym: Photinia japonica. Loquat is native of the hills of the mild-wintered, moist regions of central-eastern and south-eastern China. Loquat's cropping season is the winter period, whereas the summer is the season of rest. In the tropics the tree is best grown at elevations above 600 m and in Central America it is common at elevations between 1000-2300 m. The best fruit quality is however often obtain in regions close to the sea. To much or to little sun light is harmful for the quality of the fruit. The tree is drought-resistant and for fruit production it needs a sheltered site. In India the average fruit yield per tree is 16-20 kg per year, but yields can be up to about 100 kg per tree. Average yield in Japan is about 8 t/ha and the highest yield recorded is 25 t/ha in Israel. Pollination is by bees and flies.
Sources
SOURCES (E. japonica (Thunb.) Lindley) Popenoe W 1974 pp 250-269 [USE, TEXT, RAIN, KTMP, DEP, RAIN] Roecklein J 1987 pp 225 [USE] Duke J 1979 pp 100 Duke J 1975 pp 16 [PH, RAIN, TEMP] Rice R 1990 pp 129-130 [USE] Singh R 1969 pp 137-139 [KTMP, TEMP, TEXT, DRA, FER] Verheij E 1991 pp 161-164 [USE, KTMP, LIG, DRA, FER, PH, SAL, DRA, LIMITS]