This tree is most commonly known as the loquat. It is a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, and has characteristic long, dark green leaves. It is a staple food and medicinal crop in Southeast Asia, where the cultivation of this fruit has been documented for over of 1000 years. Because of its unique aesthetic, it is often featured in ancient Japanese wood prints. Its spread in the U.S. has been limited, because it does not fruit when cold-stressed. However, loquats do fairly well here in Arizona and the Campus Arboretum is home to several of these small, versatile trees.
