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West Somerset, England

Hi all - a friend has uncovered this shrub from a bramble patch, and asked me what I thought it might be. Since she discovered it, it's sprouting new shoots very fast. The new leaves are paler, and the large mature ones are glossy dark green all having 'felty' backs. - up to 6" long. I think it might be a Magnolia, but is it - and which one, please?




Answers

 

I have to say it looks like a Mespilus to me - M. japonica? This would grow at a rate of knots when given the chance...

9 Oct, 2010

 

Its a Loquat (Eriobotryia japonica). The yellow downy skinned fruits taste of cherries though not very thick fleshed unfortunately. The one we had at work was quite prolific.

9 Oct, 2010

 

I was thinking Nespoli Fractal, which is very similar?
Just checked Eriobotrya - I'll be damned if I can tell the difference between that and Japanese Medlar and Nespoli...

9 Oct, 2010

 

Hadn't heard of Nespoli before. Just looked it up and the true Medlar (Mespilus germanica) appears to be that fruit. This, though related is definitely a Loquat which is different.

9 Oct, 2010

 

Further reading makes this even clearer.

You are right with Japanese Medlar as this is one and the same with Loquat (Eriobotryia japonica).

Mespilus (in your first post) is the true Medlar genus with fruits that have to rot before becoming edible.

This plant in the photo is definitely the Japanese Medlar, Loquat (Eriobotryia) or Nepoli if you are Italian. Certainly more sites agree with Nespoli being Eriobotryia than Mespilus (after more research).

Difinitely Eriobotryia though.

9 Oct, 2010

 

Well, depends where you look - one place says Nespoli is actually Japanese medlar (M. japonica) - seems to be a lot of argument about it, but perhaps the difference becomes obvious if you see or cut open the fruits.Researched this recently because one of my clients has what looks exactly like this one in his garden, and he grew it from a nespoli fruit... Anyway Spritz, you've got an answer!

9 Oct, 2010

 

Thats the trouble with common names.

9 Oct, 2010

 

So if I tell her that it's a Medlar aka Loquat and it might have edible fruit at some time in the future, that's about right, is it - she's not a gardener.

Thanks, Bamboo and Fractal. I was way off beam with my thought, wasn't I! lol.

9 Oct, 2010

 

Well its not a plant you come across often, Spritz. I understood nespoles should be bletted like medlars too, so I'd go with Fractal's id, it'll be easier!

9 Oct, 2010

 

OK. Thanks. You two are real stars . :-)))))))

9 Oct, 2010

 

I shall pick some proper medlars in the next few days and post a photo. Above photo is definitely loquat, Eriobotrya. Got two in pots in front garden. Phil J

9 Oct, 2010

 

Is this really a tree? Would it grow a lot bigger if they let it, do you know? I think they'd be pleased to find that out, too.

9 Oct, 2010

 

10-12ft perhaps. If sheltered, a little larger but thats about it. The branches in northern climes (with bad winters) can break with the weight of snow. The side branches generally become weighted down by their own leaf weight anyway and arch downwards.

9 Oct, 2010

 

We don't really get snow here, Fractal. It's due to our position between the Bristol Channel and the Quantock Hills, which get it. Let's hope that this 'shrub' stays whole. ;-) I think the garden is quite sheltered, too. I know that some of it is walled - lucky things! :

9 Oct, 2010

 

Then it will definitely get to 12 feet - one was taken down in a client's garden, along with lots of other stuff, this year, because of honey fungus and it was 15 feet tall. The one in your pic is a nicer shape though, much more bushy. Although having said that, of course I'm talking about nespole... which appears to be Mespilus japonica.

10 Oct, 2010

 

I think they'll be pleased, Bamboo - more interesting than a mere Magnolia! :-))

10 Oct, 2010

 

I thought Loquat too when I saw it. Love the fruit when very ripe. They get bout 15ft. tall here and grow rather quickly.

31 Oct, 2010

 

It certainly has shot up since it got more light, Angie.

31 Oct, 2010

How do I say thanks?

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