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Hovenia dulcis

Japanese raisintree

Synonym(s): Chinese raisintree, honey tree
Family: Rhamnaceae
Duration and Habit: Perennial Tree or shrub

Photographer: Bob Gutowski
Source: BioNET-EAFRINET

Description

Hovenia dulcis is a deciduous tree sometimes reaching to 10 m tall. Leaf blade ovate, broadly oblong or elliptic-ovate, 7-17 x 4-11 cm. The bark is rigid and light gray with brown valleys. Leaves are papery or thickly membranous. Leaves are alternate, glabrous or glossy and smooth. Leaf margin is irregularly serrate or coursely serrate, apex shortly acuminate or acuminate. Branchlets are brown or black-purple. Flowers are yellow-green, 6-8 mm in diameter in teminal or rarely axillary, asymmetrical cymose panicles. Sepals ovate-triangular 2.2-2.5 x 1.6 - 2 mm. Fruit is a red fleshy fruit that has the flavor of a raisin. Flowers May-July, fruits August - October. Leaves do not change color in fall and drop while they are still green.

Native Lookalikes: Currently no information available here yet, or there are no native Texas species that could be confused with Japanese raisintree.

Ecological Threat: Hovenia dulcis rapidly invades disturbed forest, forming dense stands, inhibiting the growth of native plant species. It is hard to control spread due to the abundance of many different dispersal agents.

Biology & Spread: Japanese raisintree is often cultivated for container planting or urban parking lots and landscapes. This is because it has an upright habit, showy flowers and fruit, and a moderate growth rate. Propagation is by seeds or cuttings.

History: Used for economic reasons such as a bee plant for honey production, an environmental ornamental plant, and fruit for consumption. Fleshy rachis is edible and used for making wine and candy. The timber is hard and used for construction and fine furniture.

U.S. Habitat: Hovenia dulcis is often used as an ornamental tree. Tree grows in full sun, partial sun, or sometimes partial shade. Soil tolerances: clay, loam, alkaline, acidic, occasionally wet, well-drained soil. Japanese raisintree has a moderate drought tolerance.

Distribution

U.S. Nativity: Introduced to U.S

Native Origin: Asia -Temperate. China, Japan, Korea

U.S. Present: Sparse reports in NC, TX, VA

Distribution in Texas: Limited reports in Austin area.

Mapping

Invaders of Texas Map: Hovenia dulcis
EDDMapS: Hovenia dulcis
USDA Plants Texas County Map: Hovenia dulcis

Native Alternatives

American basswood

Management

Mechanical: It can be cut or dug out, but this is rarely effective as the plant sprouts vigorously when cut and resprouts from seeds in the soil.

Chemical: Effective control requires a combination of mechanical and chemical control methods. Application of a suitable herbicide to cut stumps is effective.

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Text References

Online Resources

http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=hodu2

http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200013347

http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=855

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st296

https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/eafrinet/weeds/key/weeds/Media/Html/Hovenia_dulcis_(Japanese_Raisin_Tree).htm

Search Online

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NatureServe Explorer: Hovenia dulcis
USDA Plants: Hovenia dulcis
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States: Hovenia dulcis
Bugwood Network Images: Hovenia dulcis