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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Myrica rubra''
| image = Yangmeifruits.jpg
| image_width = 260px
| image_caption = ''Myrica rubra'' fruits
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Fagales]]
| familia = [[Myricaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Myrica]]''
| species = '''''M. rubra'''''
| binomial = ''Myrica rubra''
| binomial_authority = [[Philipp Franz von Siebold|Siebold]] & [[Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini|Zucc.]]
}}

'''''Myrica rubra''''', also called '''yangmei''' ({{zh-cp|c=[[wiktionary:杨|杨]][[wiktionary:梅|梅]]|p=yángméi}}; Cantonese: yeung4 mui4), '''yamamomo''' ([[Japanese language|Japanese]]: ''yamamomo''; [[kanji]]: [[wiktionary:山|山]][[wiktionary:桃|桃]]; [[katakana]]: [[wiktionary:ヤ|ヤ]][[wiktionary:マ|マ]][[wiktionary:モ|モ]][[wiktionary:モ|モ]]), '''Chinese Bayberry''', '''Japanese Bayberry''', '''Red Bayberry''', or '''Chinese strawberry tree''' (and often mistranslated from Chinese as '''[[arbutus]]''') is subtropical [[tree]] grown for its sweet crimson to dark purple-red [[fruit]].

It is native to eastern [[Asia]], mainly in [[China]], where it has been grown for at least 2000 years, and probably also [[Japan]] and [[Southeast Asia]] as well. Chinese cultivation is concentrated south of the [[Yangtze River]], where it is of considerable economic importance.

In Japan, it is the [[Prefectures of Japan|prefectural]] flower of [[Kochi prefecture|Kōchi]] and the prefectural tree of [[Tokushima Prefecture|Tokushima]]. The plant's name appears in many old Japanese poems.

==Characteristics==
It is a small to medium-sized tree growing to 10-20 [[metre]]s in height, [[evergreen]], with smooth gray bark and a uniform spherical to hemispherical crown. It is [[dioecious]], with separate male and female plants. It tolerates poor [[acid]]ic [[soil]]s. The [[root]] system is shallow (5–60 [[centimeter|cm]]), with no obvious [[taproot]].

The fruit is spherical, 1.5-2.5 cm in diameter, with a knobby surface. The surface color is typically a deep, brilliant red, but may vary from white to purple. The flesh color is similar to surface color, or somewhat lighter. The flesh is sweet and very tart. At the center is a single seed, with a diameter about half that of the whole fruit.

==Uses==
Besides fresh consumption, the fruits are commonly dried, canned, soaked in ''[[baijiu]]'' (Chinese liquor), or fermented into [[alcoholic beverage]]s.[http://photo.mipang.com/uploads/image/060626/6858_6_671e01effd.jpg] Some [[cultivar]]s with large fruit, up to 4 cm diameter, have been developed. A [[dye]] may be prepared from the bark. The plant is also used as [[ornamental tree]]s for parks and streets.

==References==
*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200006094 Flora of China: ''Myrica rubra'']
*[http://www.mipang.com/blog/459.726432fa50.htm ''Myrica rubra'' photos]

[[Category:Fagales]]
[[Category:Fruit]]
[[Category:Chinese cuisine]]
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