Mespilus loquat, one of several "Eriobotrya" species, was formerly thought to be closely related to the genus "Mespilus", and is still sometimes known in some European countries as a medlar and is still sometimes called the "Japanese medlar". Many authors group "Mespilus" together with "Crataegus" in a single genus. When thus combined, the correct species name is "Crataegus germanica" (L.) Kuntze. The common name “snowy mespilus” attaches to certain species of "Amelanchier", notably "Amelanchier lamarckii" and "Amelanchier ovalis". "Mespilus germanica" features an unusual apple-like fruit. In southern Europe, the medlar fruit ripen fully and can be eaten off the tree, but
Fruit tree propagation fruit production at an earlier age. There is a lack of research on the use of the own root method in large-scale systems. British horticulturalist Hugh Ermen was a prominent advocate of own root fruit trees, particularly Apple trees, following his work at the Brogdale research centre in Kent. The research undertaken at Brogdale did not continue but there has been renewed academic interest in own root fruit trees since the turn of the century. In addition to propagating trees on rootstocks designed to control size/vigour and confer disease resistance, grafting above the rootstock can be used to provide multiple