Practical
Plants

Eriobotrya japonica

Loquat

an evergreen fruit tree of the Eriobotrya genus in the family Rosaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
9 m
Spread
5 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

The seed is slightly poisonous. This report probably refers to the hydrogen cyanide that is found in many plants of this family, the seed should only be used in small amounts if it is bitter[K]. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Edible uses

Fruit - raw, cooked or preserved[22]. A slightly acid, sweet aromatic flavour[13], they can be eaten out of hand or cooked in pies, sauces, jellies etc[21]. Loquat pie, if made from fruit that is not fully ripe, is said to taste like cherry pie[12]. The fruit is produced in winter and early spring[6], it is up to 4cm in diameter[13]. A nutritional analysis is available[15]. Seed - cooked. A pleasant flavour[7]. Caution is advised if the seed is bitter, see notes at top of the page. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[1][11][12].

Plant part
Seed
Preparation
Roasted, cooked
Product or use
Coffee
Plant part
Fruit
Preparation
Raw, cooked or preserved
Product or use
Fruit, pie, sauce, jelly

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The loquat is one of the most popular cough remedies in the Far East, it is the ingredient of many patent medicines[17]. The leaves are analgesic, antibacterial, antiemetic, antitussive, antiviral, astringent, diuretic and expectorant[24][5][9][10][15][20]. A decoction of the leaves or young shoots is used as an intestinal astringent and as a mouthwash in cases of thrush and also in the treatment of bronchitis, coughs, feverish colds etc[24][17]. The leaves are harvested as required and can be used fresh or dried[17]. The hairs should be removed from the leaves in order to prevent irritation of the throat[17]. The flowers are expectorant[15][18]. The fruit is slightly astringent, expectorant and sedative[24][18]. It is used in allaying vomiting and thirst[18].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Flowers
Product or use
Expectorant
Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

Wood - hard, close grained. Used for rulers etc[8].

Plant part
Stem
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat
Not known in the wild[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold fame in the spring[13]. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours and sow late winter in a warm greenhouse[25][4]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 4 months at 20°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame[13]. Cuttings of softwood, spring in a frame[25]. Air layering[13].

Cultivation

Prefers a fertile well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[13]. Succeeds in any well-drained soil but dislikes too much lime[21]. Prefers to be near the coast, tolerating maritime exposure but dislikes cold winds[13]. Tolerates dry soils[13]. Succeeds in an open position in the milder areas of Britain but usually requires wall protection in most of this country[3][23]. Plants are hardy to at least -5°c, and can survive to between -12 and -17°c but with some damage[13]. Plants from different provenances differ widely in their hardiness, it is best to obtain stock as cuttings from plants that are established in this country[16]. Trees usually only flower and produce fruit in Britain after a long hot summer[3][14], but a tree at Maidwell Hall in Northants fruits regularly[3]. The main difficulty with producing a crop of fruit from this tree is that the plant flower in the winter and will not ripen fruit of a satisfactory standard if the winter is cold. Indeed, the fruit is rendered inedible by hard frosts in cold areas[13]. Often cultivated for its edible fruit in warm temperate regions, there are more than 800 cultivars in Japan[13]. 'Advance' is a dwarf tree with very juicy fruits[13]. The flowers emit a most potent oriental perfume[19].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  2. Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

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  5. Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1986-00-00

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  6. Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth.

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  7. Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-12-136450-x

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  8. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

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  9. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

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  10. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

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  11. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  12. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  13. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12

  14. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

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  15. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  16. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

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  17. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  18. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  19. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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  20. Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998-00-00 ISBN 92 9061 120 0

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  21. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

    ↩1↩2

  22. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  23. Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall.

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  24. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  25. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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