How to Grow and Care for Eriobotrya

The loquat is an evergreen tree that bears delicious fruit, which shares its name. Its origins lie in China, but the tree has since been introduced to a variety of locations across Asia, Southern Europe, and North America. The fruit is generally eaten raw, mixed into fruit salads, or turned into jam. The seeds, however, should not be eaten. In Italy, loquat is used to make nespolino liqueur.

Although inedible for humans, the fruits of bronze loquats are popular with birds and small mammals. The new foliage of this small tree is bronze in color and takes a long time to change to dark green, making the plant highly ornamental. It is also versatile as a feature tree for small gardens, as it can be grown against a support or planted in pots.

Eriobotrya cavaleriei has broad, leathery leaves and grows in wet forests. It is technically an evergreen, though its leaves flush bronze over time. Eriobotrya cavaleriei has been observed as high as 2500 meters in elevation, but is at home down near sea level as well.