Hovenia dulcis
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- H. acerba
- H. inequalis
- Phonetic Spelling
- ho-VEN-ee-uh DUL-sis
- Description
-
The Japanesse raison tree is a desiduous flowering tree or shrub in the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae) native to eastern China and Korea. Thegenus name dulcis translates to sweet in reference to it fleshy fruit stalks. This tree is considered invasive in Tx and is naturalizing in NC and VA. It is listed as invasive in several South American countries. It can form dense stands that outcompete natives and disrupt ecosystems.
Although able to reach heights of up to 50', this tree typically grows to approximately 30' in height in cultivation, with an upright oval to rounded outline spreading 20 feet. It grows best in full sun to partial shade and a sandy loam but is adaptable to other soils.
This tree casts light shade and has gray to gray-brown bark. It has fragrant flowers that are insignificant in the summer. Its stalk elongates and becomes swollen, red and edible after being subjected to frost. At that time, they are edible and have a sweet flavor. Trees do not flower until they reach the age of 3 to 4 years old.
The edible fruit has a taste and texture similar to raisins. It is referred to as a fruit, but is actually a swollen receptacle. Each pea-sized fruit contains 3 seeds, which are not likely to ripen in cultivation. They are also fragrant. An extract from the seed, as well as young leaves is used as a honey substitute.
Consider planting native trees. See some suggestions to the left.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease issues. Messy fruits
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hovenia
- Species:
- dulcis
- Family:
- Rhamnaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The hard and finely grained wood from this tree is used in furniture manufacturing.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- East Asia, China and the Himalayas
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds are attracted to the fruits.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Edible fruit
- Fragrance
- Shade
- Edibility:
- Its fruits are edible, often used as a sweetener.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Open
- Oval
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- more than 60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fleshy, red, edible seed capsules can be eaten both raw and cooked. They can cause a litter problem.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Insignificant
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The tiny, inconspicuous, cream-colored flowers form in clusters in early summer. The flowers are attractive to insects.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Its glossy, green leaves are 4-6" long. They may turn yellow before dropping in the fall, but falling green leaves is not uncommon.
-
-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- Gray to gray-brown
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Diseases
- Insect Pests
- Problems:
- Messy
