6 September 2023
Today on the school drop off I noticed a tree in someone’s front garden that was covered in small orange fruit that didn’t look like anything I have seen before.
I took a few photos and searched online what it could be. Turns out it is called loquat (Eriobotrya japonica).
Its fruit is edible and even the leaves can be used to make herbal tea.
Loquat is native to China and its name literally translates from Cantonese as ‘black orange’. It has also been naturalised in many different countries in the warmer parts of the world.
Sometimes loquat is also called Chinese plum and Japanese plum.
Loquat belongs to the Rosaceae family that also includes apples, pears, quinces, medlars, almonds, peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and roses.
I will be looking out for loquat in fruit shops. Would love to taste it!
