Hovenia dulcis - raisin tree (Forest Alveolus)

Hovenia dulcis is a small, rapidly growing deciduous tree up to 12-15 m tall with a slender habit and thick, rounded foliage. The alternate, entire, lanceolate leaves are dark green in color and become golden yellow in autumn before fall. The small flowers gathered in inflorescences appear in late spring, are creamy white in color and are much visited by bees. The fruits are small spherical drupes, black when ripe. The peculiarity of this species are the swollen flower stalks, which are edible; When ripe, these become fleshy and very sugary. The flavor of these petioles resembles that of the raisins from which the tree takes its

Botanical Information

Vulgar botanical name (“raisin tree”).

Pedoclimatic needs

It adapts to all types of soil, as long as it is deep, fresh and humid, avoiding those that are too clayey and compact. It likes a very bright exposure, preferably in full sun. Rustic plant, it adapts to even very cold climates, resisting minimum temperatures even below -22°/-24°C. Where winters are not too harsh, it can suffer from late frosts as it comes into vegetation early. This tree likes humid environments and cannot tolerate drought, during the dry season it must be watered regularly.

Botanical Information

Botanical Name: Hovenia dulcis

Family: Rhamnaceae