Loquat, Japanese Medlar , Chinese plum, Rush Orange (Honey bee plants of Hawaii, United States)

Loquat, Japanese Medlar , Chinese plum, Rush Orange

Eriobotrya japonica

Summary ⁵

Pollen: Good
Nectar: Good
Honeybee pollination improve fruit set

This evergreen tree, grown for its fruit and warm climates...Flowers are bisexual. Pollination requirements vary between cultivars, but all benefit from, and some require, cross-pollination. In Sri Lanka, pollen was reported to remain viable for 35-45 days at room temperature. No information has been found as to pollinating agents, but honeybees visit flowers freely, collecting nectar and pollen, and are probably effective. The tree is an important honey source. Fruit set is commonly low, so it could be beneficial to place hives of honeybees in the orchards during flowering. (Crane, E., & Walker, P. (1984). Pollination Directory for World Crops)

Flowering time 2-8, 4-6 China, where it ius a source of honey. Invasive in some coastal locations of S. Africa. Found in gardens and a few small plantations. Has gone out of favour, partly because it is a winter host to fruit flies. Pollen light lemon to yellow. Long-flowering. Bee factor 60%. (Johannsmeier, M. F. (2016). Beeplants of South Africa: Sources of Nectar, Pollen, Honeydew and Propolis for Honeybees)

Native to mountainous, moist subtropical forests of southeastern China. The tree was possibly introduced and naturalized in Japan in very early times. Propogated through seeds and more commonly, through grafting. The loquat, which can withstand frosts to -10 C(14F), grows best in warm temperate and subtropical climates. In the tropics, it prefers cool mountain climates, usually at an elevation between 800 and 1,200m, with or without a dry season) (Blancke, R. (2016). Tropical fruits and other edible plants of the world : an illustrated guide.)

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