Hovenia dulcis, or the oriental raisin tree, is a hardy tree found in Asia, from Eastern China (萬壽果; pinyin: wànshòuguǒ) and Korea (헛개나무, heotgae namu) to the Himalayas (up to altitudes of 2,000 m), growing preferably in a sunny position on moist sandy or loamy soils. The tree known for its health benefits when consumed in tea, introduced as an ornamental tree to several countries, also bears edible fruit. It is considered to be one of the most pervasive invaders in Brazilian subtropical forests.[1]
Description
Hovenia dulcis
Tree, rarely a shrub, deciduous, to 10–30 m tall. Branchlets brown or black-purple, glabrous, with inconspicuous lenticels. The glossy leaves are large and pointed. The trees bear clusters of small cream-coloured hermaphroditic flowers in July. The drupes appear at the ends of an edible rachis (fleshy fruit stalk), which is a type of accessory fruit.
Uses
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[2] and is used for making wine and candy.
The timber is fine and hard and is used for building construction and fine furniture.
Hovenia dulcis is a natural source for dihydromyricetin, a flavonoid with antioxidant properties and is primarily found in the tree's leaves, stems, and bark.[4] It has been used in traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese medicines to treat fever, parasitic infection, as a laxative, and a treatment of liver diseases, and as a hangover treatment.[5] It is also used as medicine for preventing and treating chronic diseases as well as skincare products for its ability to protect skin from UV-induced damage and aging.[6][7]
Reforestation
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.[8][9]
In Thailand Hovenia dulcis grows at roughly the same rate as eucalyptus, reaching six metres in height within three years.[8] One major asset is that the growth form of the tree allows other species to regenerate nearby. Furthermore, the tree is known to attract several varieties both of birds and of mammals which feed on the seeds and fruit.[10] As well as promoting faunal diversity, this process assists in improving soil fertility through humification.[8]
^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.
^Facciola, Stephen (1990-11-01). Cornucopia: a source book of edible plants. Kampong Publication. ISBN0-9628087-0-9.
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.
Koller, G.L. and Alexander, J.H. "The raisin tree: Its use, hardiness and size."Arnoldia 39.1 (Jan/Feb 1979): 6–15.
