ORIGIN

China, Japan

COMMON NAME

Loquat

BOTANICAL NAME

Eriobotrya japonica

Photo source: DOC Northland 1-4

IDENTIFICATION

Tree up to 8 m high, leaves near branch tips. Stout leaves, oval and up to 400 mm long, crinkled and dark, glossy green above with a thin grey to brown mat of soft hairs below. Flowers Apr-Aug-Nov. Edible fruits 50 x 35 mm, hairy, yellow, drop-oval shaped, Oct-Dec.

HABITATS

Forest margins and shrubland, disturbed sites, riversides, wastelands, roadsides, green belts in townships, sites on verges of townships and around houses in rural areas.

IMPACT TO BIOTA AND ECOSYSTEMS

May infest light forest and shrublands to replace some mid-tier shrubs or trees. Degrades the natural integrity of the community.

DISPERSAL ROUTES, VECTORS, INFESTATION SOURCES

Spread from townships to the verges of towns by people. Carried into forested areas and rural roads by people. Loquat is known to be eaten by pigeons and may be spread into light forest by this vector.

MANAGEMENT

Physical Control
Hand pull or grub seedlings. Large trees can be felled. It is unlikely regrowth from low cut stumps will occur. If it does, cut again and treat the stump with herbicide.

Disposal
Leave to rot, mulch or compost.

Chemical Control
Spray foliage with Metsulfuron mixed at 5 grams in 10 litres of water.

Biological Control

Recommended Approach
Hand pull seedlings and fell larger trees.

FURTHER COMMENT