Common Name: Wild Loquat

General Information

Wild loquat is an evergreen or semi-deciduous tree with spreading multiple branches that form a dense rounded crown[]. The tree grows around 5 - 12 metres tall with a short, stout bole that has a diameter of 5 - 25cm[].
This is one of the most popular fruits in parts of Africa such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique[]. The fruit is commonly collected from the wild and sold in large quantities in local markets. It has been recommended for commercial cultivation[]. Trees are sometimes protected when found growing on farmland[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Tropical Africa - Angola, Burundi, Tanzania and the Congo.

Habitat

Lowland forest, secondary miombo woodland such as clearing and gaps, and open woodland. Grows in well-drained escarpments, with infertile sand or gravel soils of acidic reaction[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is are found wild at an altitude of 500 - 2,000 metres in the tropics[]. It grows best where the mean annual temperature is within the range of 18 - 24°c, though it tolerates 12 - 32°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall of 700 - 1,500mm, but can tolerate 500 - 2,000mm[, ]. Plants are very intolerant of frost[].
Prefers a sunny position, tolerating light shade[]. Tolerant of poor, shallow, gravel and sandy loam soils[]. Normally found in acidic soils with a pH 4 - 6.5[, ].
Dioecious - both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. Fleshy and sweet, it has a delicious flavour[]. The fruit is commonly eaten fresh and is highly regarded[, ]. It can also be used for brewing a very pleasant wine or for making cakes that are fried and eaten[]. The juice of the fruit is mixed with sorghum meal to form a thin, orange-flavoured porridge[]. The fruit pulp is juicy, honey-like, very tasty and somewhat reminiscent of pears[]. Dried fruits have a toffee-like flavour[]. The fruit is about 4cm x 4cm.

Medicinal

An infusion made from the roots is used to treat indigestion and dysentery[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is planted for erosion control, shade, shelter, living fence and as an ornamental. It forms a mutual association with mycorrhizae and act as a soil improver and is an important agro-forestry tree[].

Other Uses

A blue dye is made from the roots[].

The leaves are used as a cockroach repellent in homes[, ].

Wood is light with white sapwood and reddish-brown, figured heartwood. It is hard and durable, has a straight grain, saws clean and can be planed to a smooth finish. It glues well, holds nails firmly and takes a clear varnish finish. Suitable for general carpentry, house building and domestic utensils, furniture and joinery, carvings and boxes. It is termite resistant[].
The wood is used as a fuel and to make charcoal[]. Charcoal made from the wood is highly regarded, and many trees are cut specifically for this purpose[]. It is also a good source of firewood[].

Propagation

Seed - needs to be sown fresh since it has a limited viability of about 3 weeks[]. Germination is usually good, especially if the seed is scarified first[]. Young seedlings need to be given some shade[].
Division of suckers[].
Cuttings

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