The loquat is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae, native to south-central China. It is a large evergreen shrub or small tree, grown commercially for its yellow fruit, and also cultivated as an ornamental plant. It was formerly thought to be closely related to the genus Mespilus, and is still sometimes known as the Japanese medlar. It is also known as Japanese plum and Chinese plum.
The loquat is a subtropical evergreen tree originating in China and popular in Japan. There are many varieties including the bronze loquat, which is a shrub or small tree. The tree blooms fragrant, white flowers in fall with the small oval or pear-shaped fruit harvested in spring.