Loquat

Loquat ( Eriobotrya japonica)

The loquat ( Eriobotrya japonica ) is a species of the genus loquats of pome fruit crops ( Pyrinae ) in the rose family ( Rosaceae ). It is also known as the Japanese medlar, loquat, Mispero, Nespolo, nispero or loquat. In Japanese it is called biwa (ビワor枇杷) and the Chinese pipa (枇杷PIPA ). Although it seems to suggest her name does not belong to the genus of the loquat loquat.

Description

The loquat grows as a evergreen tree, reaching heights of growth of about 7 to 12 meters. The hairy leaves are simple. The petiole is very short with 6 to 10 mm. The lamina has a length of 12 to 30 cm and a width of 3 to 9 cm. The leaf margin is smooth cut at the base above. The side sheets are 1 to 1.5 cm long.

The terminal, Rispige inflorescence includes many flowers and has a length from 10 to 19 cm. The rusty hairy flower stalk is 2-8 mm long. The hermaphrodite, fivefold radiärsymmetrische flower smells and has a diameter of 1.2 to 2 cm on. The five rusty hairy sepals are 2-3 mm long and are still clearly visible also in the fruits. The five white nailed petals have a length of 5 to 9 mm and a width of 4 to 6 mm. There are 20 stamens present. The under constant ovary consists of five carpels. The five pens are free. The flowering period extends from March to June.

The pear - or egg-shaped false fruits are about 5 cm long and have a diameter at the thickest point of about 4 cm. Its thin, light yellow skin is covered with fine hair and can be easily removed. The flesh of the loquat is yellowish to orange and firm or soft, depending on the variety. It is juicy and refreshing and has a sweet and sour taste. Unripe fruit tastes very sour. Ripe fruits can be seen in small brown spots on the shell. You are not a sign of spoilage. On the fruit, the recurved sepals are clearly visible. The fruit usually contains two to ten hard, smooth seeds from which very easily can be drawn seedlings. The fruits are regularly available in April and May in markets and fruit shops with us. Most of them as " Nisperos ", " loquat " or " Nespoli " are offered.

Dissemination

Man unaffected occurrence of the Japanese Loquat are only two places in central China known: Nanchuan in the province of Chongqing and Yichang in Hubei. In southern Japan natural occurrence could also be, or the loquat was introduced there very early by people. In Southeast Asia it is cultivated widely. The Loquat reached the end of the 18th century to Europe and is now grown in many countries with a Mediterranean or subtropical climate.

Use

The Loquat was initially planted as an ornamental plant. Increasingly, however, it is also grown for their fruit. Loquats raw or cooked can be eaten with or without shell. Steamed they are very aromatic. They are processed mainly in fruit salads, cakes or as a jelly or jam.

The seeds are ground used as a spice. In addition, you can roast them as a coffee substitute.

The fruits of the Japanese Loquat contain a lot of potassium and vitamin A and have a diuretic effect. As syrup ( Pei Pa Koa ) it is used as herbal medicine of traditional Chinese medicine to treat pharyngitis, cough, and hoarseness.

The wood is very hard, for example, from rulers are made ​​.

System

This species was first described in 1780 by Carl Peter Thunberg as Mespilus japonica and thus the genus of loquat ( Mespilus ) assigned. John Lindley introduced the type 1821 as Eriobotrya japonica in the genre of loquats ( Eriobotrya ), which, like the medlar and the apples to the pome fruit crops ( Pyrinae ) is counted.

Swell

• Gu Cuizhi, Stephen A. Spongberg: Eriobotrya. In: Wu Zhengyi, Peter H. Raven (eds.): Flora of China. 9, Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis 1994 , p 138 ( eFloras.org, as of March 17, 2009 ).