Hovenia dulcis

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 raw or cooked. Dried, they look and taste like raisins. An extract of the seeds, bough and young leaves can be used as a substitute for honey.

An extract of the leave contains hodulcine, a glycoside which exhibits an anti-sweet activity. Ampelopsin is a flavanonol found in H. dulcis and is credited with hepatoprotective effects.



Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hovenia_dulcis



See Also: Send Gift To, Send Gifts To, Sending gift