Loquats are better known in Asia than Australia where, despite more than 100 years of cultivation, they are still viewed as an exotic fruit.
The trees are often seen in old, overgrown gardens, laden in late winter and early spring with yellow fruit.
The loquat originated in China where it’s known as pipa; its golden fruit symbolises wealth. It has been long grown in Japan — its specific name is japonica — and many named varieties originated there.
These handsome evergreen trees