Loquat vs. Medlar — What's the Difference?

Native to southeastern China, now widely cultivated in other subtropical regions.

A small deciduous tree known for its unusual fruits that must be bletted before consumption.

A large evergreen shrub or tree that produces small, yellow to orange, tangy-sweet fruits.

Requires cold weather to ripen properly.

Fruits are often used in making jams, jellies, and pies.

Belongs to the same family as roses, known botanically as Rosaceae.

Leaves are sometimes used medicinally in various cultures.

Fruits are historically significant in European and Middle Eastern cuisines.

Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil for optimal growth.

Often associated with medieval literature and symbols of patience.

The loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a large evergreen shrub or tree, grown commercially for its orange fruit and for its leaves for tea originated from China and imported to Japan during Tang dynasty at early medieval ages (known as "biwa cha" in Japan), and also cultivated as an ornamental plant. The loquat is in the family Rosaceae, and is native to the cooler hill regions of south-central China.

A deciduous European tree (Mespilus germanica) in the rose family, having white flowers and edible apple-shaped fruit.

A small yellow egg-shaped acidic fruit.

The fruit of this plant, eaten fresh or made into preserves.

The evergreen East Asian tree of the rose family that bears the loquat, cultivated both for its fruit and as an ornamental.

Mespilus germanica, common medlar (now often Crataegus germanica)

A small evergreen tree (Eriobotrya japonica) in the rose family, native to China and Japan, having fragrant white flowers and pear-shaped yellow fruit with large seeds.

Any tree of the genus Mespilus, now Crataegus sect. Mespilus, including many species now in other genera.

The edible fruit of this plant.

Any of several similar trees that bear similar fruit

The Eriobotrya japonica tree.

(Crataegus × canescens: family Rosaceae)

The fruit of this tree. It is as large as a small plum, but grows in clusters, and contains four or five large seeds.

Mediterranean medlar or azarole (Crataegus azarolus: family Rosaceae)

The fruit of the Japanese medlar (Photinia Japonica). It is as large as a small plum, but grows in clusters, and contains four or five large seeds. Also, the tree itself.

Japanese medlar or loquat (Eriobotrya japonica: family Rosaceae)

Evergreen tree of warm regions having fuzzy yellow olive-sized fruit with a large free stone; native to China and Japan

Or bulletwood (Mimusops elengi: family Sapotaceae)

Yellow olive-sized semitropical fruit with a large free stone and relatively little flesh; used for jellies

(Vangueria infausta: family Rubiaceae)

Wolfberry, goji, red medlar (Lycium spp.),

The fruit of such trees, similar to small apples

Especially that of Crataegus sect. Mespilus, not eaten until it has begun to decay, or more specifically, to blet.

A woman or a woman's genitalia (as the fruit's appearance mimics an "open-arse")

A tree of the genus Mespilus (Mespilus Germanica); also, the fruit of the tree. The fruit is something like a small apple, but has a bony endocarp. When first gathered the flesh is hard and austere, and it is not eaten until it has begun to decay.

Small deciduous tree of southern Africa having edible fruit

Small deciduous Eurasian tree cultivated for its fruit that resemble crab apples

South African globular fruit with brown leathery skin and sweet-acid pithy flesh

Crabapple-like fruit used for preserves

Loquat thrives in subtropical climates, while medlar prefers temperate zones.

Medlar fruits are best consumed after they've been bletted, making them soft and sweet.

Loquat leaves are used in traditional medicine, especially in East Asia, for respiratory ailments.

Yes, loquat is often used to make jelly, as well as pies and other desserts.

Medlar trees can take several years to bear fruit and require specific climatic conditions to produce well.

Loquat fruits are best eaten fresh but can be refrigerated for short periods.

No, loquat is part of the Rosaceae family, closely related to apples, whereas medlar is also Rosaceae but distinct in its fruiting and cultivation requirements.

Unbletted medlar fruits are hard and astringent, not generally considered edible until they soften.

Loquat trees are relatively pest-free but may occasionally suffer from fruit flies and scale insects.

Medlar is often referenced in medieval texts and poetry, symbolizing delayed gratification and patience.