A Detailed Guide to the Characteristics and Growth Habits of the Loquat Tree

The loquat tree usually can grow to about 3-4m, and its crown is round and converges inward. Its trunk is not very long, and the branches are yellowish-brown and covered with fine fuzz. The leaves are lanceolate, oblong-elliptic, or obovate, with a length of about 12-30cm. The flowers are white, and the petals are ovate or oblong.

Loquat species:

1. Common loquat

The common loquat is an evergreen small tree, 6-10 m tall, with a grayish-brown, rough trunk and new shoots densely covered with down. The leaves are obovate or long elliptic, nearly sessile, leathery, with rust-colored down on the underside and serrated notches along the leaf margin. The inflorescence is paniculate, the small flowers are white, the calyx and petals are 5 each, the stamens are numerous, the style is 5-cleft, the ovary is inferior, 5-loculed, with 2 ovules each.

The flesh of this loquat is relatively large, and it is usually orange-red or orange-yellow, with generally 2-6 seeds. All cultivated varieties belong to this species. The characteristic of this loquat variety is winter flowers and summer fruit. The native species is distributed in Shaanxi, Hubei, Sichuan, and other places. It is a relatively common type of loquat on the market.

2. Taiwan loquat

Taiwan loquat, also called red-leaf loquat, is native to Hengchun, Taiwan, China. The leaves are thin, and the fruit is small, round, maturing in October, sweet and edible, with the effect of treating febrile diseases, and weak cold resistance. It can be used as rootstock. Its characteristic is summer flowers and autumn fruit. It is distributed in Taiwan, China and Guangdong.

3. South Asian loquat

South Asian loquat, also called Yunnan loquat or smooth-leaved loquat, has native species in Yunnan and northern India. It is an evergreen large tree. The leaves are smooth and hairless on both sides, glossy, and the petiole is 2-3 cm long. The flowers have a hawthorn fragrance. The fruit is small and elliptic. There are 1-2 seeds. Its characteristic is winter flowers and summer fruit.

4. Large-flowered loquat

Large-flowered loquat has native species in western Sichuan. The leaf margin is revolute, initially with down, later falling off, and the petiole is 2.5-4.0 cm long. The flowers are large, 2.0-2.5 cm in diameter, with 3 pistils. The fruit is relatively large, nearly round, orange-red, and smooth. There are 1-2 seeds. It is distributed in Sichuan, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Fujian. Its characteristic is spring flowers and autumn fruit.

5. Oak-leaved loquat

Oak-leaved loquat is produced in Mengzi and other places in Yunnan and western Sichuan. It is a small tree. The underside of the leaves is densely covered with prostrate gray down. The ovary is semi-superior. The fruit is small, ovate, with thin flesh and edible. It has a single stone (1 seed). Its characteristic is autumn flowers and summer fruit.

6. Nujiang loquat

Nujiang loquat is produced along the banks of the Nujiang in Yunnan. It is a small tree. The upper surface of the leaves is glossy, and the underside has yellow long soft hairs. The fruit is spherical. It has a single stone (1 seed). It matures from June to August. Its characteristic is spring flowers and autumn fruit.