George Shirley wrote:
> David Hare-Scott wrote:
>
>> "Nobody" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>> There is a tree known as "loquat" that was widely planted in California
>>
>>
>> for
>>
>>> decorative purposes over the past century or more. It is a kind of
>>> medlar,
>>> and bears one of my favorite fruits. When I was growing up in southern
>>> California it was widely used for jam and pies, although I only ate it
>>
>>
>> raw.
>>
>>> It has a wonderful taste, sort of a cross between a peach and an orange.
>>
>>
>> You
>>
>>> are very lucky to have a regular supply.
>>>
>>
>>
>> We are not talking about the same fruit. Medlars are about the size of a
>> golf ball, with a brown skin a bit like a pear but thicker, the end
>> opposite
>> the stem has a strange rounded depression with a fringe around it, in
>> some
>> old books they were called the "open arse fruit". When underipe the
>> flesh
>> is cream and woody like a quince but when ripened (bletted) it goes brown
>> and soft. The flavour is most like a spicy (some say cinnamon) overripe
>> apple. Neither the flavour nor the texture are like peaches or oranges.
>>
>> Apparently the loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is sometimes called the
>> Japanese
>> medlar and it is distantly related to the medlar (Mispilus germanica). I
>> have tried to grow the loquat but so far withour success, it does not
>> like
>> frost.
>>
>> David
>>
>>
>>
> If anyone is going to try a loquat they need to get a named variety. I
> grew one from seed here in SW Louisiana and it was a sorry producer.
> Plus with one very large seed they are a pain to handle and to make jam
> or jelly from. Also have a tough seed. Luckily Hurrican Rita killed mine
> and I can replace it with something else.
>
> George
>
The loquats with which I grew up, in Southern and Northern California,
have about 3 seeds which fit together. I have never seen a loquat with
one seed. Different kind?
Ellen