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Raisin tree (view source)

Revision as of 02:17, 1 May 2009

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{{Taxobox
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__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
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| color = lightgreen
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| name = ''Hovenia dulcis''
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| name = Japanese Raisin Tree
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| common_names = Raisin tree, Japanese Raisin tree
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| growth_habit = deciduous tree
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| high = ?m (25-30 ft){{SSN}}
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| wide =    <!--- 65cm (25 inches) -->
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| origin = China
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| poisonous =    <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->
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| lifespan = perennial
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| exposure = full sun{{SSN}}
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| water = regular{{SSN}}
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| features = fruit
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| hardiness =    <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 5°C (40°F), etc -->
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| bloom =    <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for its flowers -->
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| usda_zones =    <!--- eg. 8-11 -->
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| sunset_zones = 4-9, 14-17, 31-35, 37{{SSN}}
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| color = IndianRed
 
| image = Hovenia dulcis.jpg
 
| image = Hovenia dulcis.jpg
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| image_width = 180px    <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->
 
| image_caption = Japanese Raisin Tree, ''Hovenia dulcis''
 
| image_caption = Japanese Raisin Tree, ''Hovenia dulcis''
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| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
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| regnum = Plantae
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| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
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| divisio = Magnoliophyta
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| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
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| classis = Magnoliopsida
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| ordo = [[Rosales]]
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| ordo = Rosales
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| familia = [[Rhamnaceae]]
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| familia = Rhamnaceae
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| genus = ''[[Hovenia]]''
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| genus = Hovenia
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| genus_authority = Thunb.
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| species = dulcis
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| species = '''''H. dulcis'''''
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| subspecies =  
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| binomial = ''Hovenia dulcis''
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| cultivar =  
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| binomial_authority = [[Thunb.]]
   
}}
 
}}
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'''Adaptation''': The northern limits for winter survival and fruit ripening of the tree has not been fully determined. It is cold-hardy to about -10° F, and fruits ripen in eastern North America at least as far north as southern New York. There is a 28-year old specimen in the Asian section of the Los Angeles County Arboretum and another specimen at nearby Huntington Gardens. Raisin tree plants are not particularly suitable for container culture.
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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.  
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'''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
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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]].
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'''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.
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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>
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'''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.
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<br />
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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>
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=== Synonyms ===
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'''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.  
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*''Hovenia acerba'' - Lindl.
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*''Hovenia inequalis'' - DC.
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== Footnote ==
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==Cultivation==
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{{reflist}}
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'''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.
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==References==
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'''Soil''': The raisin tree tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and thrives in sandy loam.
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* Macoboy S. 1991. ''What tree is that?'', 1991. ISBN 1 86302 1310
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* [http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/FOC/projsfoc.html Flora of China]
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'''Irrigation''': Although somewhat tolerant of drought, raisin trees do best with a regular supply of moisture.
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* Huxley. A. 1992. ''The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening'' MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
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'''Fertilization''': Little is known about the fertilization needs of the tree, but a light to moderate fertilizing in mid-spring is probably useful.
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'''Pruning''': The tree tends to prune itself, dropping the lower branches as the tree grows.  
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===Propagation===
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The seeds have an impermeable seed coat that severely inhibits germination. Several methods have been employed to get around the problem. The seed coat can be scarified by nicking it with a file, or soaking the seed in concentrated sulfuric acid for two hours. Wash the seed thoroughly with water following the acid soak. The seed can also be soaked in hot tap water (approximately 140° F) for three consecutive days. Others have had some luck with freezing the seed. After treatment, the seed are planted in potting soil, covered with clear plastic wrap and placed in bright light. Seeds should germinate within a week to a month or more. Plants grown from seed usually bear fruit within 7 - 10 years, though bearing within 3 years is possible under good conditions
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The plant can also be propagated by softwood cuttings taken in late summer, and by root cuttings. Little work has been done in the area of grafting.
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===Pests and diseases===
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Raisin trees are apparently free of any significant pests and diseases. Deer will probably browse the foliage, but the roots do not seem to be attractive to gophers.  
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==Cultivars==
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There are no known raisin tree cultivars.  
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==Gallery==
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{{Commons|Hovenia dulcis}}
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==References==
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*[http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/raisintree.html CRFG Fruit facts]
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<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
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==External links==
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*{{wplink}}
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[[Category:Categorize]]
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[[Category:Rhamnaceae]]
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[[Category:Fruit]]
 
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