The loquat, Eriobotrya japonica, is a fruit tree in the family Rosaceae, indigenous to central China. It was formerly thought to be closely related to the genus Mespilus, and is still sometimes known as the Japanese medlar.

Loquat syrup is used in Chinese medicine for soothing the throat and is a popular ingredient for cough drops. The Loquat is easy to grow in subtropical to mild temperate climates where it is often grown as an ornamental tree, and second for its delicious fruit. The boldly textured foliage adds a tropical look to gardens, contrasting well with many other plants.
Eriobotryajaponica leaves had been used traditionally for the treatment of diabetes mellitus by immersing the dried leaves in a hot water drink. An amino acid has been isolated from the seeds of the angiosperm tree, Eriobotrya japonica (loquat) and characterised as 4-methylene-dl-proline.