Trees or shrubs, evergreen. Leaves simple, stipulate; margin entire or serrate. Inflorescence a terminal compound raceme. Flowers bisexual, 5-merous. Hypanthium obconical. Epicalyx 0. Sepals 5, persistent. Petals 5, white or yellow, clawed at base. Stamens 15-20 (-40). Ovary inferior, 2-5 locular (formed from 2-5 fused carpels adnate to the hypanthium). Ovules 2 per locule. Stylodia 2-5, usually connate at base and pubescent; stigmas capitate. Fruit a pome with membranous endocarp. Seeds 1-3, large, without endosperm.
The genus Eriobotrya includes 15-20 species, distributed from the Himalayas to Japan and West Malesia.
One species, Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl., native to SE China, is cultivated as a fruit tree (loquat) throughout SE Asia. Cultivated in Pakistan (no specimens seen).