Quick facts
| Arabic name | الأكي دنيا (البشملة) |
|---|---|
| English name | Loquat |
| Scientific name | Eriobotrya japonica |
| Family | Rose family (Rosaceae) |
| Plant type | Evergreen fruit tree |
| Height | 4 to 8 m |
| Water use | Medium |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
February to April
Harvest time
March to May
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
Large, leathery, dark green toothed leaves. Fragrant white flowers in autumn and winter, then small oval orange fruits.
Where it grows
Grown in orchards and home gardens in the southwest highlands.
Soil
Rich, well-drained soil. It does not like salt or waterlogged soil.
Water and irrigation
Regular watering, mainly during flowering and fruit growth in winter.
Climate and light
Likes mild weather. Hard frost damages its flowers and young fruits.
Propagation
Easy from seed. Good varieties are grafted.
Benefits and uses
- Early fruit that ripens before most others
- A nice shade tree for gardens
- Winter flowers feed bees
- Rich in vitamin A
Drawbacks
- Fruits spoil fast
- Seeds are not edible
- Frost can harm it
Important notes
Loquat seeds contain toxic compounds and should not be eaten.
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Eriobotrya japonica
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Eriobotrya japonica
- Wikipedia: Loquat
- FAO Crop Calendar - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)