Hovenia dulcis
Japanese Raisin Tree ( Hovenia dulcis )
The Japanese Raisin Tree ( Hovenia dulcis, syn: .. Hovenia acerba Lindl, Hovenia inequalis DC) is a plant belonging to the family of the buckthorn family ( Rhamnaceae ).
Description
The Japanese Raisin Tree is reached, a small deciduous tree or shrub, the plant height of about 10 meters. The smooth bark of the branches is blackish - purple. The petiole is 2 to 4.5 cm long. The arranged alternate, simple, large, glossy leaves are tapered and are about 7-17 cm long and 4-11 cm wide. The leaf margin is serrated.
Between May and July bring the trees out mostly terminal, asymmetric, zymöse inflorescences. The small cream-colored, yellowish - green to bright green, fragrant, hermaphrodite, five petals have a diameter of 6 to 8 mm with a double perianth. The sepals are of 2.2 to 2.5 mm long and 1.6 to 2 mm wide. The spiked petals are 2.4 to 2.6 mm long and 1.8 to 2.1 mm wide. The discus is slightly hairy. It's just a circle with five stamens present. The ovary is half inferior.
The actual fruit, a ribbed hemispherical stone fruit has a diameter of 6.5 to 7.5 mm, is inedible and contains three seeds. But the fruit stalk swells and thereby an edible false fruit formed. The dark seeds have a diameter from 5 to 5.5 mm. The fruits are ripe from August to October.
Occurrence
The distribution area of Hovenia dulcis extends from Japan to Korea and eastern China to the Himalayas. It grows at altitudes usually 200-1400 m, up to 2000 m, preferably in sunny locations with moist loamy or sandy soil.
Use
Outside of its natural range it is planted as a hardy ornamental tree. In parks and gardens Hovenia dulcis serves as a rare slow-growing ornamental tree.
Furniture is made from fine, hard wood. The wood is also known as Japanese mahogany.
The sweet, fragrant fruit stalks are both raw and cooked edible. Dried they are similar in taste and appearance raisins. From them a sweetener is obtained. Also, the wood of the tree is preserved in alcohol or boiled for tea and sold for example in Korea as a remedy, which helps to feel unwell while traveling or after drinking alcohol. The responsible for this active ingredient is the flavonoid dihydromyricetin.
Swell
- Description in the Flora of China. (English )