Bessel Brown Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica 'Bessel Brown') is one of Australia's best-known loquat cultivars, valued for its exceptionally large, golden-orange fruit with firm, juicy flesh and a mild, sweet flavour. The thick skin resists bruising better than many other loquats, making it an excellent choice for home orchards. An evergreen tree with attractive glossy foliage, it produces fragrant winter flowers followed by reliable crops in spring in suitable climates. A selection from Victoria, Australia.
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- Uses: Fresh eating, jams, jellies, chutneys, bottling, preserving and desserts.
- Pollination: Self-pollinating; generally crops well on its own, though a second loquat may improve fruit set.
- Harvest: Mid season; about September–October in many Australian districts (later in cooler regions).
- Chill requirements: Low chill; well suited to warm temperate and subtropical climates. Tolerates light frosts once established.
- Size: About 4–6 m × 4–6 m (can be kept smaller with pruning).
- Attributes: Large-fruited, reliable cropper, hardy, vigorous and relatively bruise-resistant.
- Features: Evergreen tree with glossy foliage, fragrant white winter blossoms and attractive golden-orange fruit with firm flesh.
- Also known as: Japanese medlar, Japanese plum; Eriobotrya japonica 'Bessell Brown' (alternative spelling commonly used in Australia).
Keep your collection labelled. Add a durable engraved plant label to your order, and order extra labels for existing plants so every tree in your collection stays correctly named.
References include:
Glowinski, L. (1997) The complete book of fruit growing in Australia. Lothian, Port Melbourne, Australia.
Crane, J. H., & Balerdi, C. F. (2019). Loquat growing in the Florida home landscape. University of Florida IFAS Extension.
Images: Copyright Heritage Fruit Trees
