Family: Rosaceae
Species: Rhaphiolepis bibas (Lour.) (syn. Eriobotrya japonica)
Common name: Japanese medlar English: Loquat - Deutsch: Japanische Wollmispel
Etymology
The genus name comes from a Greek term meaning “with thin, needle-like scales.” The word bibas, altered by Europeans, derives from the Chinese pi-pa, meaning “lute fruit,” referring to the plant’s fruit, which somewhat resembles the shape of that traditional musical instrument.
Description
A small, evergreen, broadleaf tree with an upright trunk covered by greyish bark that is smooth when young but becomes fissured and forms brownish scales with age (hence the genus name). The persistent leaves are large and robust, with prominent veins. They are deep green and glossy on the upper surface, while the underside is pale green, whitish, and covered in dense hair. This hairiness extends to all young, non-woody parts of the plant.
The inflorescence appears as a dense, pyramidal panicle with woolly peduncles (due to ferruginous hairs), bearing hermaphroditic flowers with five ivory-white petals. These are highly fragrant, and their scent recalls bitter almonds.
The fruit ripens in spring. It is a small globular pome, about the size of a small apricot, containing large seeds at its centre. The peel’s colour ranges from pale yellow to bright orange, while the sweet, thirst-quenching flesh can be white to orange, depending on its degree of ripeness.
Habitat
Believed to have originated in China, the Japanese medlar has been naturalised in Japan for about a millennium.
Properties and Uses
A notable feature of the Japanese medlar is its prolonged flowering period, from November to February—a valuable trait for bees since it provides an important honey source. In southern Italy and Spain, delicious honey is produced from these flowers.
The fruit, also called a medlar, has numerous beneficial properties: it is rich in mineral salts, has anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects, supports intestinal and liver function, is low in calories, helps regulate blood pressure, and replenishes fluids lost through perspiration. This makes it particularly beneficial for athletes. In addition, it can serve as a filling snack, satisfying hunger.
Notes and Curiosities
This evergreen plant produces tasty, healthy fruits and is also used for ornamental purposes. Its leaves are expanded, forming a rounded, dense canopy without much pruning. However, it requires certain conditions to bear fruit successfully.Since flowering occurs in autumn (November to February), the plant may fail to produce fruit if the climate is too cold or frosty during that time. For this reason, it is most commonly found in the south or mild areas such as Lake Garda in Italy.