Loquat Time in South Louisiana

Loquats (Eriobotrya japonica) go by many names in our communities-in my neighborhood they are “misbeliefs” or “Japanese plums”. I’ve also heard them called “Japanese medlars” and “nespolo” by an Italian-American family friend. This evergreen fruit tree is ripening now in our area, and presents the enterprising picker with a bounty of honey-colored fruits to enjoy. Loquats are native to central…