# What fruit is this? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 29, 2015, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509 "2015-07-29T20:07:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/21 "2015-07-30T04:42:47Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Certainly not a persimmon. Note the small leaf-like appendages at the tip of the fruit. Persimmons don’t have those. You’re right. The picture in the OP looks a lot like the persimmons I’ve seen growing in the wild, less like the ones I see at the grocery store, but they definitely don’t have those things growing on them in the wild. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/22 "2015-07-30T06:04:10Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Manetout, I meant either hawthorn OR peach family. Sorry - my misunderstanding. > [@](#): > > But I think half-elf nailed it. GIS for loquat shows very much what they look like. The next time I go to the park I’m going to pick one and open it up. Loquats have quite distinctive large, thick corrugated dark green leaves, also, they typically flower in late autumn and fruit in early spring. A cross-section of the fruit should help (although hawthorn fruits do look almost exactly like tiny apples, even on the inside). Most hawthorn species have conspicuous thorns on the twigs; crab apple trees can sometimes be a bit wiry-prickly, but are not usually thorny. I’m puzzled by earlier references to grapes though - do you mean that the fruit is squashy like a grape? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/23 "2015-07-30T06:15:13Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Yes, grape sized and maybe somewhat larger. They were also quite translucent, like a grape. Not at all apple-like. Some of the ornamental apple species do have fruits that are a bit translucent. The fruit on the lower left in your photo does show faint signs of longitudinal patterning that is typical of apples. The only thing that doesn’t seem quite right to me about this being an apple variety is the green-ness of the calyx, but these may not be fully-developed fruits. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/24 "2015-07-30T13:04:29Z")
Could it be some type of plum? ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/25 "2015-07-30T15:42:30Z")
What are the leaves like? If the leaves are long and narrow, I’d definitely vote for a loquat tree. The fruit look very much like loquats and the shape of the tree is loquatish, but the leaves would seal the deal. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/26 "2015-07-30T15:46:28Z")
> [@stillownedbysetters](#): > > What are the leaves like? If the leaves are long and narrow, I’d definitely vote for a loquat tree. The fruit look very much like loquats and the shape of the tree is loquatish, but the leaves would seal the deal. They do have that [growth on the end](http://www.milbergernursery.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Loquat-FruitLeaves.jpg)that Colibri mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![Staggerlee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/staggerlee/32/3134_2.png) [@Staggerlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Staggerlee)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/27 "2015-07-30T16:58:28Z")
Probably not, but maybe a large variety of Rosehip? Popular in Denmark apparently. Same shape, but maybe not waxy-rinded enough. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/28 "2015-07-30T17:01:56Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Looks like a space pod. You’re likely infested with spores now. Who are you, and what have you done with Biggirl? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/29 "2015-07-30T18:03:24Z")
> [@Honey](#): > > Could it be some type of plum? No. Plums do not have a persistent calyx ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/30 "2015-07-30T18:06:24Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > They do have that [growth on the end](http://www.milbergernursery.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Loquat-FruitLeaves.jpg)that Colibri mentioned. Loquats have a distinctive specled patterning on the skin, not evident in the OPs picture. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/31 "2015-07-30T20:41:30Z")
> [@half-elf](#): > > It’s \*\*definitely \*\*not a persimmon. > Kumquats are citrus fruits and are **not usually eaten raw** , so google kumquat and loquat (I couldn’t tell what the leaves are like on the photo you posted) before you bite in to it! Wow, really? I’ve always eaten kumquats raw/fresh, including the skin. ---
**Author:** ![half-elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@half-elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/half-elf)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/32 "2015-07-30T20:52:50Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Wow, really? I’ve always eaten kumquats raw/fresh, including the skin. Apparently some types can be eaten raw, but not all: [Kumquat - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumquat) Where I live they are used to make a sweet liqueur which I hate so I am irrationally prejudiced against kumquats. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/33 "2015-07-30T21:20:27Z")
C’mon, **Biggirl**. Go back to the park. Take a picture of the leaf. Put us out of our misery! ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/34 "2015-07-30T21:27:17Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > C’mon, **Biggirl**. Go back to the park. Take a picture of the leaf. Put us out of our misery! This afternoon I told my husband we’ve gotta go back to the park. [Valley Stream State Park](https://www.pinterest.com/pinkslinky/valley-stream-state-park/) is tiny but cute. Plan to bbq there next week in the middle of the week during the day when no one is there. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/35 "2015-07-30T21:42:12Z")
Excellent. Nobody to photobomb your leaf pics 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/36 "2015-07-30T23:47:47Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > And, no, i don’t know what it tastes like as I am not in the habit of eating things if I don’t know what they are. Where is **Mangetout** when you need him?! Oh, he’s right upthread. ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/37 "2015-08-06T23:20:53Z")
I’m pretty sure it’s not a loquat. The leaves in picture linked #1 were too abundant and small. And the shape of the fruit was right, but I think they were too orange/red to be loquats. As noted above, loquats are blotchy and they’re more yellow-skinned. –G! ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/38 "2015-08-06T23:52:17Z")
Tomorrow I’m going back to the park. I’ll get a pic of the leaves and the inside of the fruit. If it’s still fruiting. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2015, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/39 "2015-08-07T00:36:04Z")
I don’t think drupes get that growth on the end. That rules out peaches and plums. ---
**Author:** ![Hopeful\_Crow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/da6949/32.png) [@Hopeful\_Crow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hopeful_Crow)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2015, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509/40 "2015-08-07T02:00:13Z")
Googling images of [crab apple fruits](https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=AwrTcXQbD8RVb.4AAlIunIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTBsZ29xY3ZzBHNlYwNzZWFyY2gEc2xrA2J1dHRvbg--;_ylc=X1MDMTM1MTE5NTY5NARfcgMyBGJjawM1YWx2bTJoOXRscDMzJTI2YiUzRDQlMjZkJTNENkFtcWI4MXBZRUtzRGJ4ZjZ2M2NDakdNckpNLSUyNnMlM0RrZSUyNmklM0RoSDRGTGZwdXdSWVhlS19HV0guVgRmcgN5aHMtbW96aWxsYS0wMDIEZ3ByaWQDdlFwdXJnLkFTYjZveEhNOEhrMWUwQQRtdGVzdGlkA251bGwEbl9zdWdnAzEEb3JpZ2luA2ltYWdlcy5zZWFyY2gueWFob28uY29tBHBvcwMwBHBxc3RyAwRwcXN0cmwDBHFzdHJsAzIzBHF1ZXJ5AyBDcmFiIEFwcGxlIGZydWl0IEltYWdlBHRfc3RtcAMxNDM4OTEyNDE2BHZ0ZXN0aWQDbnVsbA--?gprid=vQpurg.ASb6oxHM8Hk1e0A&pvid=zWYkyDIwNi5VV_YUU9rkYxLrMTMxLgAAAADfjNWm&p=+Crab+Apple+fruit+Image&fr=yhs-mozilla-002&fr2=sb-top-images.search.yahoo.com&ei=UTF-8&n=60&x=wrt&hsimp=yhs-002&hspart=mozilla), I’m convinced that this is what **Biggirl’s** mystery tree is. It’s just a matter of finding the particular variety. The John Downie variety mentioned upthread is certainly at strong contender. Incidentally, since haws were also mentioned, I thought I’d say that a rose expert once told me that hawthorns are thought to be the ancestors of the modern rose. Just thought I’d throw that out there for no particular reason. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fruit-is-this/726509.md?page=3)