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Interesting Barbara. The koels seem to have large
ranges.
Two doors down from us is a flowering Feijoa - it
has a similar 'strange' smell when the fruits are setting - but its a different
plant genera.
The loquat is NOT A NICE TREE In fact, last I
heard, under the NSW Plant Disease act, all loquat fruit must be removed before
the 1st of Oct in coastal areas, and by 15 Dec inland. The reason is that the
fruit acts as a host to fruit fly at a time when no other fruit is setting and
each fruit can carry an enormous number of flies. The procedure ensures a break
between the ripening of loquats and other fruit and prevents a build-up of the
fly population. The situation is not quite so critical in Canberra (colder area)
but otherwise, I'd not recommend the tree to anyone.
Ian, or another botany person may know more?
Janette
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