That is a strange description. Hawthornes are in the genus crataegus . photinia is an entirely different genus. They aren't very closely related. And even if they could make an intergeneric hybrid (which I doubt) it wouldn't belong in the genus eriobotrya.... That probably isn't helpful but I don't understand their description .

Thank you Embothrium. Perhaps I am remembering Eriobotrya deflexa. South Texans; is this the one that is, or was, commonly sold here?

Interestingly, our local Mortellaro's Nursery describes Coppertone Loquat as the hybrid of Photinia and Majestic Hawthorne.

Here is the background on the one that came to be sold using the Coppertone trademark.

I discovered this new variety on my cultivated property located at 1303 South Bonnie Cove Ave., in the city of Glendora, County of Los Angeles, State of Calif., in June of 1970. The new variety originated as a chance seedling of cultivated Eriobotrya deflexa, which is believed to be unpatented, with the pollen parent being unknown.

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=PP04245.PN.&OS=PN/PP04245&RS=PN/PP04245

The Monrovia hybrid is also patented, described here (follow the instructions to click on "Images", then click on "Front Page" after the new pages open). And if you read this additional USPTO account you will see this cultivar is also based on a found seedling of unknown parentage.

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=PP03349.PN.&OS=PN/PP03349&RS=PN/PP03349

So in either case only the seed parent is ~known, it being believed that because the variant plant occurred where seeds of that parent were sown it was a seedling of it. With the suggested identity of the pollen parent being based solely on visual interpretation of the morphology of the selected seedling, and not on certain knowledge.

A somewhat curious fact is that both assumed hybrids happened to be noticed and developed in California during the early 1970s.

Photinia serrulata- Chinese photinia is one parent of redtip. This parent species has probably been in Texas gardens for a century or more and well enough adapted to naturalize in some areas. Do not plant if you live close to a natural area preserve/park. Fire blight will sometimes cause a tiny bit of twig damage, otherwise I have seen no other problems.

I bought one.

"OMAR made me do it." ... :-)

I had totally forgot about this post, but when she saw the plant she acted like is was a divine revelation or something like that. "Look at this, Omar. Isn't it something? and the smell!!" and bla,bla,bla. I realized now the only reason she took me to Rainbow Gardens was to buy that plant and blame me for that. Tst, tst, tst! Bob, believe me, I didn't do it!

I swear I tried everything but she would not listen. Next thing I know the plant was in her car.

Omar

And who put it in the car? And who picked out the best one? Just tell me that!

Incidentally, it is blooming with pink blossoms that emit a delicious fragrance. I love the oriental look of the many twisty branches and big shiny leaves.

I also have its kin, a 'regular' loquat (thank you Omar), which also has fragrant blossoms . I'll be planting them on each side of the swing.

Then, as always, I'm cutting back on plants, right after Christmas ... :-)

So what did you all buy for yourself this Christmas?