Eriobotrya Japonica
Eriobotrya Japonica is commonly known as the Loquat is a large evergreen shrub or small tree (it can grow to ten meters). It has been known as Japanese or Chinese Plum, or Japanese Medlar but it is not related to those tree families. It is cultivated here as an ornamental tree, but it is grown commercially for its fruit and leaves which make a tea in China and Japan. It is native to cool, hilly areas of China, but has been grown in Japan for over 1000 years.
Funky Facts File: Unusually, it flowers, which have a sweet heady aroma, in Autumn or early Winter and the fruits appear and ripen in late spring or early summer. In tropical climates they can flower two or three times a year! The fruits are the sweetest when soft and orange and the taste said to be a mixture of peach, citrus and mild mango.
