| Japanese Raisin Tree | ||||||||||||||
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 Japanese Raisin Tree, Hovenia dulcis | ||||||||||||||
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| Hovenia dulcis 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.
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.[1]
An extract of the leave contains hodulcine, a glycoside which exibits an anti-sweet activity.[2]
Synonyms
- Hovenia acerba - Lindl.
- Hovenia inequalis - DC.
Footnote
References
- Macoboy S. 1991. What tree is that?, 1991. ISBN 1 86302 1310
- Flora of China
- Huxley. A. 1992. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Image from Flora Japonica
by Philipp Franz von Siebold and Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini
Ripe drupes of Hovenia dulcis attached to edible fleshy fruit stalks
