Loquat

Eriobotrya japonica

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Rosaceae
Genus:
Eriobotrya
Species:
Eriobotrya japonica

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Tree
Height:
20-40 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jan, feb, sep, oct, nov, dec
Bloom Colors:
white

Native Range

United States: California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Puerto Rico

Host Plant for Caterpillars

black-marked pococera moth (Pococera atramentalis), black-tipped pyralid moth (Moodna ostrinella), Blastobasis eriobotryae, Carob moth (Ectomyelois ceratoniae), Codling moth (Cydia pomonella), Cosmet moth (Pyroderces rileyi), Honeydew moth (Cryptoblabes gnidiella), leaf crumpler moth (Acrobasis indigenella), Omnivorous Leafroller (Platynota rostrana), orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia citrana), Phidotricha erigens, Pyroderces badia, Yellownecked caterpillar (Datana ministra), Zamagiria laidion

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) Butterflies:Cassius Blue (Leptotes cassius), Cassius Blue (Leptotes cassius), Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae), Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae), Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae), Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae), Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus), Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus), ⚠️Monarch (Danaus plexippus), Ocola Skipper (Panoquina ocola), Ocola Skipper (Panoquina ocola), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia), Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers fertile soil with good organic content