Old-fashioned garden fruit tree

A cold sensitive but otherwise hardy tree often grown in Brisbane backyards for the tart fruit. Has escaped into bushland and has become a vigorous weed. Not usually forming thickets, occasional plants come up well spaced apart, spread by birds. It is a native of East Asia (China and Japan). Branches are rusty-hairy. The tree grows to about 20 metres (medium to large) and forms a rounded shape with upward pointing branches. Large leaves to 25 cm with coarse veins. Furry-looking flowers in autumn with the fruit maturing the following spring. Flowers are fragrant. Pollinated by honey bees. Loquat likes full sun but will tolerate shade. Needs plenty of water when young but becomes somewhat drought tolerant. Needs good drainage. Will tolerate alkaline soil. It has become a weed of bushland after being spread by birds from gardens. Loquat is noted on the Brisbane City Council Weed Identification Tool as an environment weed in Queensland.

In 2002 there was a specimen in the park at Walton Bridge Reserve. Since removed by the bushcare group. Photo: Robert Whyte

Photo: Robert Whyte

Photo: Robert Whyte

Photo: Robert Whyte