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
Apple with a fruit unknown in the Middle East in biblical times is found in confusion between the Latin words "mālum" (an apple) and "mălum" (an evil), each of which is normally written "malum". The tree of the forbidden fruit is called "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil" in , and the Latin for "good and evil" is "bonum et malum". Renaissance painters may also have been influenced by the story of the golden apples in the Garden of Hesperides. As a result, in the story of Adam and Eve, the apple became a symbol for knowledge, immortality,