The loquat tree, scientifically known as Eriobotrya japonica, is a striking evergreen native to the cooler, hilly regions of south-central China. This subtropical species is a member of the Rosaceae family, which also includes apples and roses. Valued for both its ornamental qualities and its edible fruit, it has been cultivated for over a thousand years. The tree presents a distinctive look that makes it a popular choice for gardens and landscapes in warm temperate and subtropical regions.
The Tree’s Overall Structure
The loquat tree typically develops into a large, dense shrub or a small to medium-sized tree, generally reaching a height of 10 to 25 feet in cultivation. It possesses a naturally rounded, broad-leaved canopy that provides a dense screen of foliage year-round. This compact growth habit often makes it an excellent specimen tree for residential properties.
The trunk of a mature loquat is usually short, supporting the wide canopy. While some sources describe the bark as smooth and gray, on older specimens it is often darker, rougher, and subtly fissured. The tree’s moderate growth rate and contained size make it suitable for various landscape uses.
Distinctive Foliage: The Leaves
The leaves are the loquat’s most recognizable feature, providing a tropical look that persists throughout the year. They are large, thick, and leathery, with a heavily textured surface and prominent, impressed veins that give them a somewhat quilted appearance. These leaves are oblong or lanceolate in shape, measuring anywhere from 8 to 12 inches long.
The color is distinctly different on the top and bottom surfaces, which aids in identification. The upper side is a dark, glossy green, contrasting sharply with the underside. The lower surface is covered in a thick, woolly layer of fine hairs, known as tomentum, which is typically a noticeable rust or yellowish-brown color. The leaves cluster densely at the ends of the branches, giving the tree a whorled look.
Seasonal Appearance: Flowers and Fruit
The loquat has an unusual life cycle compared to many other fruit trees, primarily because of its flowering time. Small, creamy white flowers appear in large, terminal clusters called panicles during the late fall or early winter. This timing makes the loquat a source of fragrance in the cooler months, as the flowers are highly and sweetly scented.
Following pollination, the fruit develops over the winter and ripens in the spring or early summer, depending on the climate. The fruit, classified as a pome, is borne in clusters of four to thirty. It is small, ranging from an oval to a rounded or pear shape, typically one to three inches long.
The skin is smooth or lightly fuzzy and changes from green to shades of yellow, pale orange, or apricot-orange when ripe. The interior of the fruit is juicy and contains flesh that can be white, pale yellow, or orange, with a sweet-tart flavor. Inside the pulp are three to five large, shiny dark brown seeds, which take up a significant portion of the fruit’s volume. The appearance of these colorful, clustered fruits against the dark evergreen leaves is a striking visual element.