What kind of fruit is loquat? Medlar fruit - cultivation

Growing subtropical medlar is also possible in the Russian climate, although it is not particularly popular yet. A representative of the Rosaceae family is often called ezgil, cup tree. It requires careful care, but the benefits of its fruits are worth all the effort.

Description, types and varieties

In its natural environment, the height of the tree reaches 8 m. The leaves are large and leathery. Their upper surface is glossy, the lower is velvety. The white or cream-colored flowers have a pleasant aroma. The small fruits are not only tasty, but also beneficial due to their high content of vitamins and microelements.

In total, there are about 30 species of medlar, the most famous are the Caucasian medlar (Germanic) and the Japanese medlar (loqua). These types differ significantly from each other.

• Caucasian medlar is a winter-hardy deciduous species. The growing season continues until cold weather, and first-year shoots often freeze slightly. It blooms in May with small white flowers, which after a few days turn pink and acquire an aroma that attracts pollinating insects. The brown-red fruits ripen by autumn, but can only be eaten after frost. The homeland of the species is the northern part of Iran, the southern and southeastern regions of Asia Minor.

• Japanese medlar blooms from September to March, the fruits ripen in June. Interestingly, the fruits of the Japanese medlar, which are yellow in color, come in various shapes - from spherical to flattened or pear-shaped. Large leaves are slightly wrinkled.

Japanese medlar is grown in open ground on the Crimean Peninsula, but more often at home or in greenhouses.

How to plant medlar

Grown in open ground in temperate latitudes, loquat rarely grows above 3 meters. Therefore, the planting site is chosen so that the tree is constantly well lit - this guarantees a high yield.

Medlar is undemanding when it comes to soil, but prefers slightly acidic or neutral soil. It is important to pay attention to the depth of groundwater: the distance to it should be at least 1 m.

When choosing a location, take into account the comfort zone of the tree - at least 1.5 x 1.5 m for each. In this area, you should not plant other cultivated plants that take nutrients from the soil.

Planting seedlings

Medlar seedlings are purchased from local nurseries so that the plant is guaranteed to be adapted to climatic conditions. You can grow seedlings yourself (this will be discussed below).

The landing algorithm is quite simple.

1. The planting hole is dug with a volume one third larger than the seedling's earthen ball.
2. A drainage layer is placed at the bottom of the hole, then fertilizers are poured (usually complex plus bone meal).
3. A nutritious soil mixture for medlar is prepared from peat, humus, sand and excavated soil, taken in equal volumes.
4. The seedling is placed in the hole, the roots are covered with the prepared substrate.
5. Immediately dig in a support for the tree.
6. Water well, the tree trunk circle is mulched with a thick layer of compost or humus.

Care

There are no particular difficulties in caring for medlar - in fact, it is similar to caring for conventional fruit trees.

Watering

Water the medlar moderately, avoiding waterlogging and especially stagnation of water in the tree trunk circle.

During flowering and fruit set, watering should be regular so that drying out of the soil does not affect the harvest.

Feeding

Medlar responds with gratitude to feeding with mullein (1:8) with organic fertilizers.

Feeding schedule:

• seedlings and young trees - once every three weeks;
• mature trees - 2-3 times per season.

Trimming

They are usually pruned to form the crown - you always want to have a beautiful tree. But sanitary pruning is a mandatory procedure on which the health and productivity of medlar depends. Dry, damaged, diseased branches are regularly removed. In the spring, the crown is thinned out so that unpromising branches do not interfere with the full fruit set. At the same time, frozen shoots are removed.

Pests and diseases

Usually, medlars are bothered by scale insects, aphids and scale insects, which can be eliminated with insecticides:

• “Fitoverm” – 20 ml/10 l of water;
• “Insegar” – 5 g/10 l of water;
• “Lepidotsid” – 30 g/10 l of water.

Instead of chemicals, you can use infusions of nettle, tansy, and wormwood.

During the growing season, there is a possibility of attack by caterpillars and other insects feeding on leaves. To prevent troubles in spring and summer, the tree is sprayed three times with Karbofos (0.3%) and Chlorophos (0.2%).

Fumigation gives good results. Wet straw is laid out next to the tree, sprinkled with tobacco dust, and set on fire. The process is controlled - the straw should not burn.

The most likely diseases of medlar:

• Bacterial burn, manifested by drying out of branches, shoots, and less often - the entire tree. The affected parts are removed and burned. Since the disease is dangerous, it is recommended to notify the territorial phytopathology service.
• Spotting is the appearance of light spots that darken to brown and necrosis. The tree is treated by spraying with copper-containing fungicides.
• Root rot occurs when the soil is waterlogged (this may be due to irregularities in the irrigation regime or prolonged rains). Counteraction is the introduction of fungicides into the tree trunk circle.

Reproduction

For propagation, seeds, layering, and cuttings are used. Grafting of both types of medlar onto fruit trees and shrubs - quince, pear - is often used.

Germination of seeds

You can grow medlar seedlings from seeds in open ground in regions with mild winters. At temperate latitudes, seeds are germinated at home or in greenhouse conditions.

The germination of medlar drupes decreases during storage, so it is recommended to plant fresh seeds. This determines the sowing time - the end of October or the first ten days of November.

Sprouting at home

1. Soak the seeds in the stimulant solution for 2-3 hours.
2. The substrate is made up of humus, sand, turf and leaf soil in equal quantities. You can use commercial soil for flowering plants.
3. Do not forget about the drainage holes on the bottom of the germination container and the drainage itself.
4. 5-6 seeds are planted in a container with a volume of 1-1.5 liters. Planting depth – 3-4 cm.
5. Crops are regularly moistened. To reduce moisture evaporation and preserve the microclimate, plantings are covered with film. Regular ventilation is required for 2 hours daily.
6. Shoots appear in the 7th–8th week.
7. The protective film is removed when the sprouts grow to 2-3 cm.
8. When the seedlings form two or three true leaves (their age will be approximately three weeks), they are planted in separate pots.

Plant outside in the spring, when warm weather sets in without the threat of frost. Transplantation is carried out by transshipment without destroying the earthen ball.

Germination in open ground

To germinate seeds, it is recommended to select a small bed, clearing it of weeds. Under natural conditions, seeds take a long time to germinate – several years. For a garden plot, such a period is unacceptable. Experienced gardeners recommend soaking the seeds in a 3% sulfuric acid solution for several hours, then rinsing well and soaking in water for a day.

The seeds are planted in moist soil to a depth of 4-5 cm, then the crops are mulched to protect them from winter cold. use sawdust, peat, and breathable agrofabric.

The first flowers on the tree will appear in the 4th–5th year.

Layerings

The method is applicable to Caucasian medlar.

In autumn, the branches are bent to the ground, previously moistened, and secured. The bark is cut where it touches the ground.

The formation of an independent seedling lasts two years. During this time, it will form a root system and sprout. The “teenager” is planted in the fall, after leaf fall.

Cuttings

The technique is equally good for both Caucasian and Japanese medlars.

Cuttings are cut 15-20 cm long, they should have 2-3 internodes. The leaves are cut in half, the sections are treated with wood ash. The bottom end should be cut at a 45° angle.

Root the cuttings in containers with a thick layer of drainage - they are buried 4-5 cm strictly vertically. Then water generously and cover with a bag.

Containers with cuttings are kept at elevated temperatures.

The rooting container should be opaque - the roots need complete darkness to grow. It is better to keep rooted cuttings near heating devices.

Cuttings take two weeks to root. Then they are transplanted into a pot, and when it becomes warm, they are transferred to open ground.


You can plant medlar not only in the garden, but also at home, on the windowsill. The technology of cultivation and care is almost entirely consistent with the above. The only difference is that the Caucasian species rests in winter, so it is advisable to move it to a cool room, for example, to a closed but not insulated northern loggia or balcony.

Growing medlar in a garden plot is no more difficult than. Proper care guarantees a good harvest of fruits - tasty and surprisingly healthy.

Loquat is a fruit plant native to the northern coast of India, China and the Himalayas. This shrub loves moisture, so it can mainly be found on the coasts, for example, in Russia it grows in the Sochi region. It also grows well in mountainous areas, which is why it is sometimes called rock medlar.

Medlar jam. Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 kg medlar;
• 1-2 sprigs of cardamom;
• 350 g sugar.

Cooking method:

Peel the berries from seeds and peel; to do this, you just need to pour boiling water over it, and the skin will easily come off. Cook over low heat until softened, shaking frequently. Add sugar, cardamom sprigs, bring to a boil and cook until desired consistency. Place the finished jam into jars and cover with a lid. There is one secret: if you put nuts (instead of seeds) in the medlar, the jam from it will turn out to be very tender.

Conclusion

Well, now you know everything about the medlar fruit: what it is, what beneficial properties it has, where it is used. Be sure to try it, you definitely won’t regret it.

Many lovers of gardening and floriculture know such an ornamental plant as the home medlar. This is a tropical crop, it is not suitable for the climate of mid-latitudes, but it is quite possible to grow an exotic plant from a seed in a pot on a balcony or loggia. What species exist, how to propagate and properly care for seedlings, what properties the fruits have - all the information about the plant is collected in the material.

What is medlar

An evergreen plant in the form of a tree or shrub from the Rosaceae family, a fairly close relative of the apple tree (subfamily Appleaceae). The homeland of medlar is considered to be Southeast Asia - India, China, Japan. In these countries it grows on mountain slopes in the form of dense thickets.

It also grows well on the Black Sea coast - in the subtropical regions of the Caucasus, Azerbaijan, Crimea, as well as in the USA, Italy, Australia, and Israel. In each locality and culture, the plant acquired its own name. So, medlar is also called ezgil, cup or chishkovo tree, shesek, eriobothria or Japanese winter flower.

Interesting. In China, the plant was called “pipa” due to its similarity with the 4-stringed lute-type musical instrument of the same name, and in the Caucasus and Crimea it is called shishkovnik.

Japanese medlar or loquat, which is an ornamental low fruit-bearing tree, is usually grown as a house plant. This unpretentious house plant is often found in offices, schools, and social facilities.

What does the plant and its fruits look like?

Under natural conditions, a chinese tree can reach 8 meters, but during breeding it is rarely possible to grow a specimen higher than 150–200 cm. Crown rounded, becoming tent-shaped with age. The twisted trunk is covered with brown, rough bark; in the natural environment there are thorns; ornamental plants do not have this rudiment.

Japanese lokva resembles apricot in appearance and taste.

Leaves oval or oblong, large (20 cm long and 7–8 cm wide), leathery, rich green in color. They have a short stalk or are sessile. The foliage is glossy on top and velvety on the back. The shoots are fluffy.

Flowers Both sexes can be white or creamy-yellow in color and have a pronounced aroma, vaguely reminiscent of the smell of almonds. The flower size is small - up to 2 cm in diameter. In one panicle-shaped inflorescence, similar to a bird cherry, there are up to 80 flowers. Eriobothrya blooms from November to December, and the fruiting period occurs in May–June.

Interesting. Cup tree flowers are used in perfumery to create citrus scents. Some of the most popular perfumes with notes of loquat include Missoni Colori Arancio, Lili Bermuda Calypso and Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers Sunlight Kiss.

Ovary formed by self-pollination and cross-pollination. The tree produces its main harvest between the ages of 6–7 and 40 years.

Fruit round or pear-shaped, the size of a five-kopeck coin, bright orange, depending on the variety, they look like apples or apricots, with several (usually three) large seeds inside. The pulp resembles an apricot in appearance, slightly sour, with a pear and pear flavor. Inside the fruit there are from 1 to 8 large brownish seeds.

Types of garden medlar

There are about 30 species of Eriobothria in the world, but the three most popular among indoor plant breeders are:

• Japanese
• Germanic
• grayish (Sterna)

Japanese loqua

Japanese medlar or loquat (Chinese, Maltese plum) - grows naturally in China and Japan. It is quite problematic to grow in open ground conditions due to the high demands of the plant on temperature conditions and the frequency of watering. Withstands temperatures down to -20 degrees, then the above-ground part dies.

Every year, up to 30 thousand loquat fruits are harvested in Japan. Syrups and wine have been made from fruits in this country for 1 thousand years.

A characteristic feature of the species is larger, wrinkled leaves. The main flowering occurs from September to March. Fruiting occurs in June and, as a rule, is abundant - up to 8 large orange fruits in a bunch. Loqua fruits taste like a mixture of pear, cherry and strawberry with noticeable sourness.

Germanic eriobothrya

German or ordinary ezgil is considered an ornamental plant and grows no higher than 3 meters. The variety got its name because the Greeks brought medlar from Asia to German lands. This is an unpretentious and frost-resistant tree.

In May, white single flowers appear, then turn pink and begin to exude a persistent aroma that attracts pollinating insects. The leaves are bright green, changing color to burgundy in the fall. The species bears fruit in November. For comfortable growth of Eriobotria germanica, a warm winter and cool summer are needed.

This type of ezgil is also called Abkhazian or Crimean medlar according to its place of growth - Crimea, the Caucasus, the Balkan Peninsula, Iran, and the countries of Asia Minor.

The fruits are hard, brownish, and unlike other varieties, their appearance and taste are more reminiscent of a combination of apple and quince. The taste of ripe fruit is not very pleasant, but after storing in the freezer or refrigerator for 3-4 months, the taste improves noticeably.

Grayish variety of cup tree

Stern's loquat or grayish (discovered in 1990) is a large deciduous shrub, but can also take the form of a small tree.

The flowers are snow-white and appear in late spring. The fruits resemble leathery reddish apples measuring 3 cm.

Growing seedlings in open ground

German eriobothrya is suitable for planting in open ground, as it is a more frost-resistant, tenacious and unpretentious species. A significantly grown plant with a height of 30 cm or more should be planted. The location on the site must be chosen carefully - the survival rate of eriobothrya depends on this.

It is better to choose slightly acidic or alkaline soil, where groundwater does not approach the surface closer than 1.5 meters. A bush will do well in a well-lit corner. When planting, you should take into account the comfort zone of 1.5 by 1.5 meters and do not plant other ornamental and fruit-bearing plants nearby.

The decorative properties of eriobothrya are highly valued in landscape design. Using a tree, you can frame a garden path or zoning an area.

To properly plant winter flowers, you need to follow simple rules:

1. Dig a hole 1/3 larger than the volume of the seedling's earthen ball.
2. Pour sand drainage into the bottom, then add complex fertilizers and a handful of bone meal.
3. Place the seedling in the hole.
4. Fill with a mixture of regular soil, peat, humus and sand, and water generously.
5. Dig a support for the tree nearby.
6. Flatten the soil under the trunk and mulch with compost or humus.

Seeds that have undergone the stratification process can also be planted in open ground, but in this case the first shoots will not appear earlier than in a few years.

Plant propagation

There are several main ways to reproduce eriobothrya:

1 Seed or using a seed. Under normal conditions, seeds germinate within 3 years. By accelerating the stratification process, it is possible to achieve seedling pipping within a few months. A plant grown in this way will be decorative and, most likely, will not bear fruit.

2 Cuttings. To do this, take the top or cut a branch of the plant at an angle of 45 degrees into pieces 12 cm long with 2-3 buds on each. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut site is treated with crushed charcoal to prevent rotting. The cuttings are planted in open ground or a pot and greenhouse conditions are created, maintaining high temperature and humidity. If all conditions are met, the branches will take root in 30–35 days. It is recommended to darken the cuttings, which will promote root formation.

3 Air layering. The method is used to accelerate the fruiting of eriobothrya. A ring of bark is removed from the tree trunk and a plastic bottle with soil is attached to the cut site so that the cut site touches the ground. The soil is regularly watered, and after the cutting takes root in the bottle, it is cut off from the trunk and planted like a regular cutting.

For rooting cuttings and layering, it is best to use a soil mixture of sand and peat in equal proportions, and carry out the procedure itself in August–September.

It will be possible to preserve the properties of a certain variety of cup tree only if cuttings are taken and layering is formed. In case of seed propagation there is no such guarantee. If you need to get cuttings for budding, you can grow a cheeshkovo tree on the rootstock of common quince, pear, hawthorn or rowan.

How to grow exotic from seed

To propagate medlar (it is better to take the Japanese variety) in an apartment, they use seeds extracted from ripe fruits. They need to be planted in the ground immediately, because over time they lose half their ability to germinate. If it is not possible to place the grain in the ground, then it can be stored in a wet rag for 2–3 months before planting at a temperature of 4–5 degrees.

To increase the chances of seed germination, it is recommended to break the integrity of its shell by rubbing it with sandpaper or a file from different sides. Then the nucleolus is filled with clean water at a temperature of 20–25 degrees for exactly one day. If the seed floats up, it is thrown away - it is hollow inside and will not give life to a new plant. The seed can also be pickled in a solution of potassium permanganate.

Each kernel must be planted in a separate pot with a diameter of the upper part of 8 cm - ezgil does not like transplants. For planting, a mixture of high-moor peat with mineral additives and microelements, usual for seedlings, is used. It is very important that the pot has adequate drainage to allow excess moisture to drain away.

The depth of immersion of the seed in pre-moistened soil is small - only 2 cm. Then the container is covered with plastic film or glass to create a greenhouse effect. If condensation appears, the homemade dome is removed and the soil is ventilated to avoid mold.

The crops need to be watered once every two days, and the top layer should be sprayed daily from a spray bottle with pre-softened water at room temperature.

Caring for a plant indoors

Despite the fact that the plant is considered exotic, caring for it cannot be called very difficult, and the medlar itself is too capricious. It is important to follow the basic rules of agricultural technology, and the plant will delight the owner with a beautiful exterior and, over time, a good harvest.

Priming

The cup tree is unpretentious in choosing soil for growth; both loamy and sandy loam soil is suitable for it. But eriobothria feels best in neutral soil, which you can prepare yourself using available ingredients:

• plant humus mixed with soil
• sand
• leaf soil (compost from fallen leaves)
• sod land

The basis of such soil is turf and leaf soil (the former needs to be taken twice as much as the latter), sand provides a drainage effect, and compost serves as a natural fertilizer.

Lighting

The plant is light-loving, so it is better to choose a south or south-east window sill to grow it at home. Under direct rays of the sun, the formation of flower buds of the cheeshkova tree occurs better.

Before the flowering period and during it, flower growers recommend increasing the daylight hours for medlars to 12 hours, illuminating it with a fluorescent lamp. One adult individual will need two additional light sources. Additional illumination can be stopped at the end of January.

Temperature

The tropical ornamental tree loves a moderately warm climate and therefore is optimally kept at a temperature of 18–20 degrees. During the hot summer period, decorative medlar should be taken out onto the balcony or into the garden. Air baths promote the growth of seedlings, so you can also ventilate the room more often.

As soon as the night temperature drops to 7-8 degrees, the pot needs to be brought back into the house. Although an adult plant can withstand sub-zero temperatures, sudden temperature changes should not be allowed; the tree may die.

Watering

The watering schedule for an adult plant depends on the season: in winter - twice a week, in summer - more often, depending on the rate of moisture evaporation. It is recommended to cover the soil surface with a layer of moss to prevent rapid drying.

It is best to water with settled, clean water slightly warmer than the room temperature. It is not recommended to spray the plant due to the pubescence of the crown. To remove dust from the foliage, you can wash the tree in the shower once a month.

If ezgil overwinters on the balcony, then watering should be stopped completely until the ambient temperature increases. From time to time, a pot of Japanese winterflower should be placed on a mat with moss, expanded clay or small pebbles.

Top dressing

The cup tree responds well to fertilizing, which is best done in the off-season: in spring or autumn with an infusion of organic fertilizers. One of the acceptable feeding options is an infusion of cow manure in a ratio of 1 to 10 with water. The decorative properties of eriobothrya can be improved by adding a little crushed dried plaster to the soil.

During the flowering period, phosphorus fertilizers should be used, and potassium fertilizing should be postponed during active growth.

Young plants are fertilized once a month, adults – three times during one season. In winter and at rest, Eriobothrya is not fed. Once a week, the top layer of soil is loosened, providing oxygen access to the roots.

Flowering and dormancy

Medlar usually blooms at 3–4 years of age in late autumn or winter., when other ornamental and fruit plants have already bloomed and bear fruit. During the cold season, the plant does not need to be watered or fertilized; dormancy for winter flowers during this period is the basis for future abundant flowering and harvest.

Fruiting

The chishkova tree produces its first fruits already at 4–5 years of age, with the peak occurring at 10–15 years. If the first fruiting is too abundant, it is better to remove some of the fruits, then the fruits will be larger and the load on the tree will be reduced.

The Abkhaz writer and poet Fazil Iskander in the story “House in the Lane” described the period of fruiting of the cup tree: “At the beginning of summer, the medlar lanterns began to light up with yellow lights, then they turned orange and did not change for a long time after that...”

Trimming

The cup tree does not require mandatory pruning, but if such a procedure is carried out, the yield of the exotic tree will increase. Cut branches are used for cuttings.

The plant perceives all manipulations with the crown painlessly, which is successfully used in landscape design. At home, the traditional spherical shape of the deciduous part looks best.

In the first years of the plant's life, experts advise cutting off half the length of the branches of the seedlings.

The branches are pruned immediately after the end of fruiting so that the plant has time to lay buds for a new harvest. Sanitary removal of dry and damaged sprouts occurs regardless of the season and period of medlar development.

Transfer

Ezgil tolerates replanting quite hard and stops bearing fruit during this period, however, for young plants this procedure must be carried out annually. For adult plants, the growing medium and pot should be changed less often - once every 3 years, but the top layer of soil should be updated regularly.

When replanting, we must not forget about creating a high-quality drainage layer from small stones: expanded clay or gravel; the use of sand is allowed.

Transplantation is carried out by transshipment, so as not to damage the delicate roots, into a container slightly larger than the previous one. The Japanese winterflower will best tolerate the “relocation” after the end of the fruiting period.

Crown formation

The owner of the ezgil needs to decide on the shape of the crown at the stage of formation of 3 leaves. If the preferred option is a bush, then the sprout needs to be pinched. When choosing the shape of the tree, at the age of 7 months, the lateral shoots begin to be removed.

At home, plants rarely grow higher than 1.5-2 m, so in any case there should be no problems with care and harvesting.

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Diseases and pests

Under natural conditions, medlar can only be affected by plant diseases such as rhizoctonia and dry top. The cultivated cup tree is resistant to various kinds of diseases and pests, but for prevention, the plant in the open ground can be treated with broad-spectrum preparations twice a year.

The most effective insecticides: Fitoverm (20 ml per 10 l of water), Insegar (5 g per 10 l of water) and Lepidocid (30 g per 10 l of water). Natural remedies can be treated with infusions of tansy, wormwood and nettle.

The most common problems that gardeners encounter when breeding eriobothrya, and methods for eliminating them, are presented in the table.

At home, the main pest for the plant is earthworms, which make passages in the ground and form voids. To get rid of them, you need to place the container with eriobothria in water for several minutes.

The scale insect, which appears when the plant is poorly cared for, can provoke the spread of a fungal infection. You need to fight it by wiping the leaves of the bush with tobacco infusion and treating it with insecticides.

Different varieties of chinese trees have different organoleptic properties

The varietal diversity of medlar is very rich. Depending on the variety, Japanese or German, the fruits can be divided into two types: large pear-shaped ones with soft juicy pulp and small hard, apple-like fruits with noticeable sourness.

The most popular varieties of cup tree are presented in the table.

Among the varieties loved by gardeners are also: Monreale (Italy), Thales, Tams Pride (Australia), Advance, Uze-fangzhong (China), Early Red (USA).

Fruits of any variety tolerate transportation well and are stored for a long time, and the fruits of German eriobothria even need to be frozen to improve their taste.

Chemical composition of ezgil fruits

Medlar fruits are consumed both raw and processed. 100 g of medlar fruit contains 47 kcal. They are low in protein (0.43 g) and fat (0.2 g), but high in carbohydrates (10 g).

These aromatic fruits contain 10% sugars and 7% malic acid, citric acid, vitamins A, C, almost all B nutrients, folic acid, iron, manganese, potassium, sodium, selenium, zinc, calcium, aromatic and tannin substances, phytoncides.

The benefits and harms of eating an exotic fruit

In addition to their pleasant taste, winterflower fruits have healing properties. In folk medicine, fruits are used to treat:

• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
• dysfunctions in the endocrine system
• urolithiasis
• asthma
• bronchitis
• renal colic and kidney disease
• diabetes mellitus

A decoction of the fruit has an antitumor, antioxidant, hemostatic and anti-cold effect on the human body, and removes mucus from internal organs and cavities. Loquat is also used as a fixative for indigestion, to strengthen the heart muscle and blood vessels.

Japanese winterflower flowers are used to treat anxiety, depression and even alcohol addiction. The effectiveness of using loquat leaves to treat candidiasis and suppress the human immunodeficiency virus has not been fully confirmed.

The use of medlar is contraindicated for people diagnosed with:

• pancreatitis
• gastritis
• stomach ulcer
• duodenal ulcer
• individual intolerance to the product

Caution should be exercised when giving the fruit to small children, as well as to pregnant and lactating women. Loquat seeds and leaves contain cyanide glycosides in small quantities, during the decomposition of which the poison cyanide is synthesized. This gives Eriobothrya seeds a bitter taste. Symptoms of poisoning with alkaloids from loqua seeds: shortness of breath, vomiting, dizziness.

The strong aroma of Japanese winterflower flowers can provoke headaches, so people prone to migraines should avoid growing the evergreen shrub.

Uses of cup tree fruits

In cosmetology, medlar is often used as a component of anti-aging masks, as well as tonics and serums. The minerals and trace elements that make up eriobothria promote the synthesis of natural collagen and elastin in skin cells to increase elasticity and turgor.

In dietetics, the fruits of eriobothrya are used as a low-calorie product to reduce body weight. Their use reduces appetite and reduces cravings for high-calorie and sweet foods. Loquat pulp contains fiber, which can prolong the feeling of fullness.

Loquat, canned in syrup, is one of the most significant exports from Taiwan.

The bark, leaves and unripe fruits of Eriobothrya contain a lot of tannins, which is used in the leather industry for tanning; the wood is often used for decorative and applied arts. Cup tree flowers are a good honey plant.

The fruits of the Japanese medlar variety, as well as other tropical fruits, are used to make preserves, jams, compotes, desserts, and candy fillings. Winterflower seeds are used in many countries as a coffee substitute due to their similar taste.

Eriobothrya is an ornamental evergreen plant with a pleasant aroma and tasty fruits - an excellent choice for growing at home. The advantageous exterior, as well as the agrotechnical characteristics of the shrub, make it one of the desired specimens in the collections of amateur flower growers. Moreover, with moderate effort and compliance with simple conditions, anyone can easily grow a beautiful exotic plant in their apartment from a seed.

Many people are unfamiliar with a plant such as medlar. After all, most people don’t even know what it looks like or where it grows. Previously, medlar was considered an exotic fruit.

But today this fruit can be found in countries with warm climates. In Russia, you can buy medlar at food markets and supermarkets at any time of the year.

Medlar is a fruit that has a spherical or pear-shaped shape. It has several names:

• Loquat.
• Medlar.
• Shesek.
• Nispero.
• Chishka.

The color of the fruit is yellow or orange. Medlar can be eaten as desired: with or without peel. But the taste is better revealed if you eat the fruit without the peel. It tastes like an amazing cocktail: a mixture of apple, apricot and strawberry.

It is worth noting that immediately after picking the fruits, the fruits do not have such a pronounced taste. Initially, they are left to ripen or frozen. And only after such procedures does the fruit become sweet and juicy.

Shesek is native to China. The next country to learn about lokva was India. Thanks to the people of India, the whole world learned about medlar.
Many people think that medlar is a berry.

But this statement is erroneous. After all, the loquat plant is a tree on which the medlar fruits grow.

There are the following types of medlar:

• Germanic (chishka). The chick comes from Asia. The fruit was brought to Germany by the Romans. Since that time it has been called German medlar. It is harvested after the first frost. The plant reaches a height of 8 meters. Today this variety of chishka grows in the Crimea, the Caucasus, Iran, the Balkans, Turkmenistan and Asia Minor. Therefore, in each country this type of fruit is called differently depending on the country:

  - Caucasian.
  - Crimean.
  - Abkhazian.

• Japanese (lokva, shesek, nispero). Has a large number of varieties. The height of the plant reaches 10 meters. The tree looks like an apricot. The fruits are harvested in May.

Differences between chishka and loqua:

• The Japanese variety has one seed, the German variety has five.
• Lokva has a soft yellow peel, and the chick is dark brown.
• The taste of Japanese lokva is sweeter, while German lokva is sour.
• The German variety is more frost-resistant.

The beneficial properties of shesek/chishka became known to mankind many centuries ago. The healing properties of the fruit were described by Hippocrates.

Useful properties of the fruit:

1. Frees blood vessels from cholesterol.
2. Prevents the formation of cholesterol plaques.
3. Improves the functioning of the digestive system.
4. Improves intestinal function.
5. Stabilizes metabolism.
6. Breaks down fats. Therefore, shesek is used in dietary nutrition.
7. Makes it difficult for the human body to store fat. Regular consumption of fruit helps not to gain weight.
8. Improves the performance of the cardiovascular system.
9. Accelerates the digestibility of consumed food.
10. Acts as an antibacterial agent. Prevents the development of microbes and fungi in the human body.
11. Immunomodulatory agent.
12. Removes toxins from the liver.
13. Has an antioxidant effect.
14. Helps with hypertension.
15. Removes kidney stones.
16. Saturates the body with essential microelements and vitamins.
17. Reduces the risk of cancer.
18. Improves blood clotting.
19. Improves tissue regeneration.
20. Reduces shortness of breath. Therefore, it is recommended for use by smokers.
21. Has a general strengthening effect.
22. Prevents the occurrence of heart attacks and strokes.
23. Helps cope with intestinal disorders.

Healing and healing properties:

1. Actively used for diabetes mellitus. Eating fruits stimulates the production of natural insulin.
2. Used as a means to prevent diabetes.
3. Used to relieve pain due to renal colic.
4. Increases kidney filtration capacity.
5. Improves vision.
6. Ripe fruits act as a laxative, while unripe ones are used as a binder during diarrhea.
7. Used to treat gout.

During the time of Hippocrates, the powdered seeds were used to treat fever, vomiting and diarrhea.

For the treatment of urolithiasis and gastrointestinal tract, decoctions of:

• Seeds of unripe fruits.
• Leaves collected during the flowering period.

Decoctions and tinctures help with:

• Cough.
• Pneumonia.
• Sore throat.
• Sore throat.
• Asthma.
• Bronchitis.
• Skin diseases (dermatitis).

Decoctions are used in the form of compresses and drinks.

Harm and contraindications

Shesek is a healthy fruit. But it must be used extremely carefully. Its harm lies in the high concentration of acid. Therefore, before use, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the contraindications.

Contraindications:

• Gastritis with high acidity.
• Individual intolerance to the product.
• Ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.
• Age up to three years.
• Stomach diseases.
• Diseases of the pancreas.

Consequences:

• Allergic reaction.
• Increased acidity levels.
• Bloating.

You should be extremely careful when using loqua during pregnancy. The fruit can provoke an allergic reaction. You are allowed to eat no more than one fruit per day. Loquat contains a large amount of folic acid, which is incredibly beneficial for pregnant women.

Composition and calorie content

Shesek is recognized as a healthy fruit due to the variety of vitamins and mineral components it contains.

Loqua contains useful components such as:

1. Beta carotene.
2. Selenium.
3. Iron.
4. Ascorbic acid.
5. Potassium.
6. Thiamine.
7. Niacin.
8. Calcium.
9. Pyridoxine.
10. Manganese.
11. Riboflavin.
12. Sodium.
13. Copper.
14. Phosphorus.

The fruit is rich in malic and citric acids, fructose, fiber, and antioxidants.

Table: average calorie content of the product per unit of fruit

Lokva as a unique fruit

Shesek is a unique fruit. Its use is possible in cooking, cosmetology and folk medicine. Not only the fruit, but also the bark of the plant has beneficial properties.

The uniqueness of Shesek is as follows:

• A drink reminiscent of coffee is made from the seeds of the fruit. It invigorates and fills the human body with energy.
• Tree bark is used to tan the skin.
• Compotes, jams, sweets, juices, and drinks are prepared from the fruits.
• Decoctions of the leaves are used to strengthen the collagen fibers of the skin.

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