Loquat belongs to the rose family and its fruit has a single stone like a cherry. When cooked, slightly unripe loquat fruit would pass for cherry pie filling if dyed red! Native to China, it is an evergreen tree or shrub with large, long, serrated leaves, fragrant white flowers, and worth growing as an ornamental.

Occasionally seeds outdoors, in a sheltered spot, as far north as Seattle, WA. But more commonly in California and the south. Possible to adapt to container culture as an indoor or greenhouse plant over the winter. Self-fruitful. Zone 8-9.