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2009-05-01T02:17:47Z

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Envoy at 17:07, 2 November 2007

2007-11-02T17:07:35Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Japanese Raisin Tree
| image = Hovenia dulcis.jpg
| image_caption = Japanese Raisin Tree, ''Hovenia dulcis''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Rosales]]
| familia = [[Rhamnaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Hovenia]]''
| genus_authority = Thunb.
| species = '''''H. dulcis'''''
| binomial = ''Hovenia dulcis''
| binomial_authority = [[Thunb.]]
}}

The '''Japanese Raisin Tree''' ('''''Hovenia dulcis''''') is a hardy tree that occurs from [[Japan]], over Eastern [[China]] and [[Korea]] to the [[Himalayas]] (up to altitudes of 2,000 m), growing preferably in a sunny position on moist sandy or loamy soils.

It has however been introduced as an ornamental tree to several countries. The glossy leaves are large and pointed. The trees bear clusters of small cream-coloured hermaphrodytic flowers in July. The drupes appear at the ends of edible fleshy fruit stalks, which is a type of [[Accessory fruit|accessory fruit]].

The sweet and fragrant fruit is edible in raw or cooked state. In dried condition, they look and taste like raisins. An extract of the seeds, bough and young leaves can be used as a substitute for [[honey]].<ref> Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 </ref>
 
An extract of the leave contains [[hodulcine]], a [[glycosides|glycoside]] which exibits an anti-sweet activity.<ref name="Kinghorn-book3">Kinghorn, A.D. and Compadre, C.M. Alernative Sweeteners: Third Edition, Revised and Expanded, Marcel Dekker ed., New York, 2001. ISBN 0-8247-0437-1 </ref>

=== Synonyms ===
*''Hovenia acerba'' - Lindl.
*''Hovenia inequalis'' - DC.

== Footnote ==
{{reflist}}

==References==
* Macoboy S. 1991. ''What tree is that?'', 1991. ISBN 1 86302 1310
* [http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/FOC/projsfoc.html Flora of China]
* Huxley. A. 1992. ''The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening'' MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

<gallery>
Image:Hovenia dulcis SZ74.png|Image from ''Flora Japonica'' by Philipp Franz von Siebold and Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini 
Image:Hovenia_dulcis,_fruit.jpg|Ripe drupes of ''Hovenia dulcis'' attached to edible fleshy fruit stalks
</gallery>

{{Commons|Hovenia dulcis}}

[[Category:Rhamnaceae]]
[[Category:Fruit]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Taxobox
+__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
-| color = lightgreen
+| name = ''Hovenia dulcis''
-| name = Japanese Raisin Tree
+| common_names = Raisin tree, Japanese Raisin tree
 | image = Hovenia dulcis.jpg
 | image_caption = Japanese Raisin Tree, ''Hovenia dulcis''
-| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
+| regnum = Plantae
-| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
+| divisio = Magnoliophyta
-| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
+| classis = Magnoliopsida
-| ordo = [[Rosales]]
+| ordo = Rosales
-| familia = [[Rhamnaceae]]
+| familia = Rhamnaceae
-| genus = ''[[Hovenia]]''
+| genus = Hovenia
-| genus_authority = Thunb.
+| species = dulcis
-| species = '''''H. dulcis'''''
+| subspecies =
-| binomial = ''Hovenia dulcis''
+| cultivar =
 }}
-The '''Japanese Raisin Tree''' ('''''Hovenia dulcis''''') is a hardy tree that occurs from [[Japan]], over Eastern [[China]] and [[Korea]] to the [[Himalayas]] (up to altitudes of 2,000 m), growing preferably in a sunny position on moist sandy or loamy soils.
+'''Growth Habit''': The raisin tree is deciduous and can grow to a height of 70 feet or more, but cultivated specimens typically reach a height of about 30 feet with a singular trunk and a rounded head. The lower branches frequently drop off leaving a fairly high crotch. Growth rate is moderate, perhaps a foot or two per year, more when young and less when old. Raisin trees are particularly handsome when planted in groups. The deeply fissured bark is counterpointed by gently undulating branches and overlapping leaves
-It has however been introduced as an ornamental tree to several countries. The glossy leaves are large and pointed. The trees bear clusters of small cream-coloured hermaphrodytic flowers in July. The drupes appear at the ends of edible fleshy fruit stalks, which is a type of [[Accessory fruit|accessory fruit]].
+'''Foliage''': The cordate, glossy green leaves are borne alternately. They are a large (up to six inches in length), rather limp leaf which must be spread out to see its shape.
-The sweet and fragrant fruit is edible in raw or cooked state. In dried condition, they look and taste like raisins. An extract of the seeds, bough and young leaves can be used as a substitute for [[honey]].<ref> Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 </ref>
+'''Flowers''': Racemes of small self-fruitful flowers bloom in late spring. They are cream colored and compensate for their small size by being clustered together in great masses. Where summers are cool, bloom may be delayed even until the end of summer with the result that fruit does not form or ripen.
-=== Synonyms ===
+'''Fruit''': The edible "raisins" are not a fruit at all but a short, swollen mature flower stalk or peduncle which supports the inedible seed pod. As the pod matures, the peduncle of stem attaching it to the cluster swells, becomes knobby and turns a translucent reddish brown. A pear-like flavor develops as the sugars increase, and the peduncle is ready to eat when it falls to the ground. Although the edible portions are small, close to the size of a raisin, the crop is copious. The brown pod which is actually the fruit is not used.
-== Footnote ==
+==Cultivation==
-{{reflist}}
+'''Location''': Although native to partially shaded sites, full sun helps hasten flowering and ripening. When placed in a southwest corner, the tree provides summer shade and allows winter sun to pass through the bare limbs.
-==References==
+'''Soil''': The raisin tree tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and thrives in sandy loam.
-* Macoboy S. 1991. ''What tree is that?'', 1991. ISBN 1 86302 1310
-* [http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/FOC/projsfoc.html Flora of China]
+'''Irrigation''': Although somewhat tolerant of drought, raisin trees do best with a regular supply of moisture.
-* Huxley. A. 1992. ''The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening'' MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
 <gallery>
@@ Line 41: / Line 69: @@
 </gallery>
-{{Commons|Hovenia dulcis}}
+==References==
-[[Category:Rhamnaceae]]
+<!--  in order to add all the proper categories, go to http://www.plants.am/wiki/Plant_Categories and copy/paste the contents of the page here, and then follow the easy instructions!    -->

Raisin tree - Revision history

Raffi: crfg

Envoy at 17:07, 2 November 2007