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| − | '''''Hovenia dulcis''''', the '''Japanese raisin tree''' or '''oriental raisin tree''', is a hardy tree found from [[Asia]], over Eastern [[China]] (萬壽果) and [[Korea]] (헛개나무) to the [[Himalayas]] (up to altitudes of 2,000 m), growing preferably in a sunny position on moist sandy or loamy soils. The tree has been introduced as an ornamental tree to several countries, and the fruit is also edible. It is considered being one of the most pervasive invader in Brazilian subtropical forests.<ref>Cf. Dechoum M, T Castellani, S Zabra, M Rejmànek, N Peronni & J Tamashiro (2014) Community structure, succession and invasibility in a seasonal deciduous forest in southern Brazil. Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Biological Invasions (Neobiota 2014), p. 8.</ref>
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| − | == Description ==
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| − | [[File:Hovenia dulcis SZ74.png|thumbnail|Hovenia dulcis]]
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| − | Tree, rarely a shrub, deciduous, to 10–30 m tall. Branchlets brown or black-purple, [[glabrous]], with inconspicuous [[lenticel]]s. The glossy leaves are large and pointed. The trees bear clusters of small cream-coloured hermaphroditic flowers in July. The [[drupe]]s appear at the ends of edible fleshy fruit stalks ([[rachis]]), which is a type of [[accessory fruit]].
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| − | == Uses ==
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| − | The fleshy rachis of the [[infructescence]] is sweet, fragrant and 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]]<ref>{{cite book| last = Facciola| first = Stephen| title = Cornucopia: a source book of edible plants| date = 1990-11-01| publisher = Kampong Publication| isbn = 0-9628087-0-9 }}</ref> and is used for making wine and candy.
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| − | An extract of the [[Leaf|leaves]] contains [[hodulcine]], a [[glycosides|glycoside]] which exhibits an anti-sweet activity.<ref name="Kinghorn-book3">{{cite book| author = Lyn O'Brien Nabors| title = Alternative Sweeteners 3e| date = 2001-06-01| publisher = CRC PressI Llc| isbn = 978-0-8247-0437-7 }}</ref>
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| − | The timber is fine and hard and is used for building construction and fine furniture.
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| − | It has been used in traditional [[Kampo|Japanese]], [[Traditional chinese medicine|Chinese]], and [[Traditional Korean medicine|Korean]] medicines to treat fever, parasitic infection, as a laxative, and a treatment of liver diseases, and as a [[hangover]] treatment.<ref>Hyun TK et al. Hovenia dulcis--an Asian traditional herb. Planta Med. 2010 Jul;76(10):943-9. {{PMID|20379955}}</ref>
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| − | === Reforestation ===
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| − | In Thailand ''Hovenia dulcis'' is relatively rare, typically found in the stream-irrigated valleys of primary lower mountain evergreen forest located between 1,075 and 1,250 metres above sea level. However, it is one of 30 potential species identified as a substitute for ''[[Eucalyptus]] spp''., commonly planted for [[reforestation]], that would meet the demand for rapid growth while not disturbing the ecological balance.<ref name="Sukin">[http://reocities.com/rainforest/7813/0206_euc.htm Kamol Sukin "Tropical Feast"]</ref><ref>[http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/005/AC648E/ac648e0e.htm G. Pakkad, S. Elliott, V. Anusarnsunthorn "FOREST RESTORATION PLANTING IN NORTHERN THAILAND"] in ''Proceedings of the Southeast Asian Moving Workshop on Conservation, Management and Utilization of Forest Genetic Resources'' 25 February-10 March 2001, Thailand</ref>
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| − | In Thailand ''Hovenia dulcis'' grows at roughly the same rate as eucalyptus, reaching six metres in height within three years.<ref name="Sukin" /> One major asset is that the growth form of the tree allows other species to regenerate nearby. As well, the tree attracts several varieties of both birds and mammals which feed on the seeds and fruit.<ref name="FORRU">[http://www.siam-society.org/pub_NHB/nhbss_index_v41-50.html "The fruits, seeds and seedlings of ''Hovenia dulcis'' Thunb. (Rhamnaceae)." ''Nat. Hist. Bull.''Siam Soc. 44:41–52 1996]</ref> As well as promoting fauna [[Biodiversity|diversity]], this process assists in improving soil fertility through [[humus|humification]].<ref name="Sukin" />
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| − | == Synonyms ==
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| − | * ''Hovenia acerba'' – Lindl.
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| − | * ''Hovenia inequalis'' – DC.
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| − | ==References==
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| − | {{Reflist}}
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| − | ==Further reading==
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| − | * {{cite book| author = Anthony Julian Huxley |author2=Mark Griffiths | title = Dictionary of Gardening| date = 1992-04-01| isbn = 978-0-333-47494-5 }}
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| − | * {{cite book| last = Macoboy| first = Stirling| title = What Tree is That?.| year = 1986| isbn = 978-1-86302-131-9 }}
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| − | * Fang, Hsun-Lang; Lin, Hui-Yi; Chan, Ming-Che; Lin, Wei-Li and Lin, Wen-Chuan. "Treatment of chronic liver injuries in mice by oral administration of ethanolic extract of the fruit of ''Hovenia dulcis''. ''American Journal of Chinese Medicine'' 35.4 (2007): 693-703.
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| − | * Koller, G.L. and Alexander, J.H. "The raisin tree: Its use, hardiness and size."''Arnoldia'' 39.1 (Jan/Feb 1979): 6-15.
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | {{Commons|Hovenia dulcis}}
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| − | * [http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/FOC/projsfoc.html Flora of China]
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| − | {{Taxonbar|from=Q1478203}}
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| | [[Category:Rhamnaceae]] | | [[Category:Rhamnaceae]] |
| | + | [[Category:Plants for Keenan to eat]] |
