Eriobotrya japonica
Eriobotrya japonica
Eriobotrya japonica (pronunciation: /ˌɛrioʊˈbɒtriə dʒəˈpɒnɪkə/), commonly known as the loquat or Japanese medlar, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae, native to south-central China. It is a large evergreen shrub or small tree, with a rounded crown, short trunk and woolly new twigs.
Etymology
The genus name Eriobotrya derives from the Greek words 'erion' meaning 'wool', and 'botrys' meaning 'grape', referring to the plant's woolly fruit clusters. The species name japonica was given by Carl Linnaeus who incorrectly assumed the plant was native to Japan.
Description
The Eriobotrya japonica tree can grow up to 10 meters high, but is usually much smaller, about 3-4 meters. The leaves are alternate, simple, 10–25 cm long, dark green, tough and leathery in texture, with a serrated margin, and densely velvety-hairy below with thick yellow-brown pubescence. The flowers are white, with four petals, and are produced in stiff panicles of three to ten, blooming in late fall to early winter. The fruit is an orange-yellow pectinaceous drupe 2–5 cm in diameter, with four or five large brown seeds.
Cultivation and uses
Eriobotrya japonica is cultivated for its fruit and ornamental qualities. The fruit is sweet, tangy, and juicy, and can be eaten fresh or used in jams and jellies. The leaves and seeds are used in traditional Chinese medicine for a variety of ailments, including coughs, skin inflammation, and diabetes.
Related terms
- Rosaceae: The family of plants to which Eriobotrya japonica belongs.
- Pectin: A structural heteropolysaccharide contained in the primary cell walls of terrestrial plants, including the Eriobotrya japonica.
- Drupe: A type of fruit in which an outer fleshy part surrounds a shell of hardened endocarp with a seed inside; such as the fruit of the Eriobotrya japonica.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Eriobotrya japonica
- Wikipedia's article - Eriobotrya japonica
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