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Cudrania tricuspidata, Bureau (Madura tricuspidata, Carr. C. triloba, Hance). Shrub, or small tree, to 20, rarely to 60 ft., with slender, thorny branches: Lvs. elliptic-ovate, acuminate, entire, sometimes 3-lobed at the apex and on young plants even tricuspidate, nearly glabrous, l½-3 in. long: fl.- heads axillary, solitary or in 2's, on short peduncles: fr. globose, about 1 in. across. China. R.H. 1864, p. 390; 1872, p. 56; 1905, p. 363 (habit). H.I. 18:1792.— Recently recommended as an excellent hedge-plant for the S. In China the Lvs. are used as a substitute for mulberry Lvs. and it is called silkworm thorn; the fr. is edible. Between this species and Madura pomifera, a hybrid has been raised, described as Macludrania hybrida, Andre. R.H. 1905:362. Alfred Rehder.

| name = ''Cudrania tricuspidata''

| common_names = Che

| common_names = Che

| growth_habit = [[Tree]]

| growth_habit = [[tree]]

| high = 25 ft

| high = ?m (25 ft)

| wide =  

| wide =     <!--- 65cm (25 inches) -->

| lifespan = [[Perennial]]

| lifespan = [[Perennial]]

| exposure = Sun

| exposure = full sun

| water = drought tolerant

| water = drought tolerant

| features = Fruit

| features = Fruit

| hardiness = -20F

| hardiness = ?°C (-20F°F)

| usda_zones = 5a

| sunset_zones =  

| usda_zones = ?  <!--- eg. 8-11 -->

| name = ''Cudrania tricuspidata''

| sunset_zones =     <!--- eg. 8, 9, 12-24, not available -->

| image =  

| color = IndianRed

| image_width =  

| image = Maclura tricuspidata-fruit.jpg

| image_caption =  

| image_width = 240px    <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->

| image_caption =     <!--- eg. Cultivated freesias -->

}}

}}

'''''Cudrania tricuspidata''''' is a [[tree]] native to [[East Asia]], occasionally grown for its [[fruit]], somewhat similar to that of the related [[mulberry]] (''Morus'' spp.).  It is also known by common names including '''cudrang''', '''mandarin melon berry''', '''silkworm thorn''', '''zhe''' or '''che''', '''Chinese Che''', '''Silkworm Thorn''',  and '''Chinese mulberry''' (but not to be confused with ''Morus australis'' also known by that name).

'''''Cudrania tricuspidata''''' is a [[tree]] native to [[East Asia]], occasionally grown for its [[fruit]], somewhat similar to that of the related [[mulberry]] (''Morus'' spp.).  It is also known by common names including '''cudrang''', '''mandarin melon berry''', '''silkworm thorn''', '''zhe''' or '''che''', '''Chinese Che''', '''Silkworm Thorn''',  and '''Chinese mulberry''' (but not to be confused with ''Morus australis'' also known by that name).

Fruit: Like the related mulberry, the che fruit is not a berry but a collective fruit, in appearance somewhat like a round mulberry crossed with a lychee, 1 to 2 inches in diameter. The ripe fruits are an attractive red or maroon-red color with a juicy, rich red flesh inside and 3 to 6 small brown seeds per fruit. The flavor is quite unlike the vinous quality of better mulberries. While still firm they are almost tasteless, but when fully soft ripe they develop a watermelon-like flavor that can be quite delicious. The sugar content is similar to that of a ripe fig. In colder areas with early leaf drop the bright red fruit are an attractive sight dangling from smooth, leafless branches.  

Fruit: Like the related mulberry, the che fruit is not a berry but a collective fruit, in appearance somewhat like a round mulberry crossed with a lychee, 1 to 2 inches in diameter. The ripe fruits are an attractive red or maroon-red color with a juicy, rich red flesh inside and 3 to 6 small brown seeds per fruit. The flavor is quite unlike the vinous quality of better mulberries. While still firm they are almost tasteless, but when fully soft ripe they develop a watermelon-like flavor that can be quite delicious. The sugar content is similar to that of a ripe fig. In colder areas with early leaf drop the bright red fruit are an attractive sight dangling from smooth, leafless branches.  

==Cultivation==

==Cultivation==

Harvest: Ches begin to bear at an early age and mature trees can produce as much as 400 pounds of fruit. The fruits ripen around November in California. Unlike mulberries, the ripe fruits do not separate easily from the tree and must be individually picked. It is important that the fruits be thoroughly ripe to be at their best. A darker shade of red with some blackening of the skin is a good indication of full ripeness. The fruit will keep for several days in a refrigerator in a covered dish. The fruits can be eaten out of hand or cooked in various ways. Cooking with other fruits that can contribute some tartness improves the taste. Mixing the ripe fruit in a blender and straining out the seeds yields a beautiful and delicious che "nectar".  

Harvest: Ches begin to bear at an early age and mature trees can produce as much as 400 pounds of fruit. The fruits ripen around November in California. Unlike mulberries, the ripe fruits do not separate easily from the tree and must be individually picked. It is important that the fruits be thoroughly ripe to be at their best. A darker shade of red with some blackening of the skin is a good indication of full ripeness. The fruit will keep for several days in a refrigerator in a covered dish. The fruits can be eaten out of hand or cooked in various ways. Cooking with other fruits that can contribute some tartness improves the taste. Mixing the ripe fruit in a blender and straining out the seeds yields a beautiful and delicious che "nectar".  

==Propagation==

===Propagation===

The che is readily grown from seed, although the plants can take up to 10 years to bear. Seeds should be sown as soon as extracted from the fruit. The plants are often propagated from softwood cuttings taken in midsummer and treated with rooting hormone. The che is also easily grafted to Osage orange rootstock using either a cleft or whip-and-tongue graft.  

The che is readily grown from seed, although the plants can take up to 10 years to bear. Seeds should be sown as soon as extracted from the fruit. The plants are often propagated from softwood cuttings taken in midsummer and treated with rooting hormone. The che is also easily grafted to Osage orange rootstock using either a cleft or whip-and-tongue graft.  

==Pests and diseases==

===Pests and diseases===

No pests or diseases have been noted. The ripe fruit is attractive to birds, and deer will browse on both the fruit and foliage.  

No pests or diseases have been noted. The ripe fruit is attractive to birds, and deer will browse on both the fruit and foliage.  

==Uses==

==Varieties==

In China and other parts of East Asia the fruit is sometimes found in local markets, but is relatively unknown commercially elsewhere. The attractive color and reasonable shelf life of the che seem to indicate that with a little effort, there could be a niche for it in farmer's markets and specialty stores. There also appears to be some demand for the fruit in Asian markets. Better selection should further increase the marketing potential of the che. A seedless fruit or one with with a bit of tartness would be a great improvement, as would earlier ripening cultivars that separate readily from the branches.  

In China various selections of the che are grown, but in the U.S. there are no known cultivars as such.  

==Taxonomy==

==Gallery==

{{Taxbox

{{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery  -->

 

| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]

Image:Upload.png| photo 1

Image:Upload.png| photo 2

Image:Upload.png| photo 3

| familia = [[Moraceae]]

</gallery>

| species = '''''C. tricuspidata'''''

| binomial = ''Cudrania tricuspidata''

| synonyms = ''Maclura tricuspidata'' <small>Carrière</small><br/>''Cudrania triloba'' <small>Hance</small><br/>''Vaniera tricuspidata'' <small>Hu</small>

==References==

==References==

* Darrow, George M. Minor Temperate Fruits. In Advances in Fruit Breeding. Purdue University Press, 1975. p. 282.

*[http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/che.html California Rare Fruit Growers]

* Forbes, F. B. Cudrania triloba Hance and its uses in China. Journal of Botany, vol. 21, 1883. pp. 145-149.

*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963

* Hendrickson, Robert. The Berry Book. Doubleday, 1981.  

<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->

<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->

<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->

 

*The original base for this article was provided by the [http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/che.html California Rare Fruit Growers]

[[Category:Categorize]]

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* [http://www.nju.edu.cn/njuc/plantsweb/species/sangke/zheshu.htm Nanjing University Plant Resources Network (in Chinese, with photo)]

* [http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Cudrania+tricuspidata&CAN=COMIND Plants for a Future database]