Eriobotrya japonica Lind.                                                                            Rosaceae (Rose Family)                                                                                                                                                                 China   Loquat

                                         May Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Evergreen tree 20ft. or more high, with rusty-tomentose branchlets; lvs. stiff, obovate to elliptic-oblong, 5-10 in. long, acute or acuminate, the side nerves running to sharp teeth, glossy above, rusty-tomentose beneath; fls. white, almost .5 in. across in dry-bracted rusty-pubescent terminal panicles late in the year; fr. ripening following spring, pyriform 1.5 in. long, yellow to almost orange, with a few large seeds, agreeably acid.

Habitat:  Grows in many climate zones when planted in well-drained soil.  Drought resistant.  Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. (Sunset Editors, New Western Garden Book 1984. 284).

Name:  Greek, eriobot-rya, wooly cluster from the tomentose infl.  (Bailey 511).  Japonica, indicates that the species was developed in Japan.

General:  Rare in the study area with only one tree known and this in Big Canyon on a north facing bank below the Park Newport Apartments.  (my comment).       Most nursery trees are sold as seedlings, good ornamental plants but with unpredictable fruit quality.  If you want fruit, look for a grafted variety.  (Sunset Editors, New Western garden Book. 1984  p.284).

Text Ref:  Bailey 511; Sunset Editors, New Western Garden Book 1984  p.284.

Photo Ref: May 04 # 7A, 8A, 9A.

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by John Johnson.

First Found:  April 2004.

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 546.

Have plant specimen.

Last edit. 8/16/04.

                                    December Photo                                                                      May Photo