LOQUAT

loquat, japanese plum or japanese medlar, known botanically as _eriobotrya japonica_, small evergreen tree belonging to the natural order rosaceae, with large thick oval-oblong leaves borne near the ends of the branches, and dark green above with a rusty tomentum on the lower face. the fruit is pear-shaped, yellow, about 11⁄2 in. long and contains large stony seeds; it has an agreeable acid flavour. the plant is a native of china and japan, but is widely grown for its fruit and as a decorative plant. it is a familiar object in the mediterranean region and in the southern united states.