Mountain loquat
Eberhardtia aurata

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A small tree 7-15 m tall. The trunk is 20-40 cm across about 1 m from the ground. The bark is dark grey. The leaf stalk is 2-3.5 cm long. They are rust coloured and hairy. The leaf blade is oblong and 12-24 cm long by 4.5-9.5 cm wide. The flowers have a smell. The fruit have a persistent calyx. The fruit are almost round and 2.5-3.5 cm across. They have 5 ribs. The seeds are flat and shiny and 1.5 by 2.5 cm in size.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They occur in mixed forest in China and Vietnam between 700-1300 m. It needs shade when young. It needs deep, well-drained soils. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Indochina, SE Asia, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The seed oil is edible.

Edible parts

Seeds - oil

How it is grown

A fast growing tree.

Its other names

Local names

Bara vang, Cong sua, Mae nieng, Xiu mao suo zi guo

Synonyms

Planchonella aurata Pierre ex Dubard;