Tropical Plant "Chinese raisin"
Hovenia dulcis

Characteristics - The Chinese raisin is an exotic fruit bearer, native to subtropical Asia (Japan, China and the Himalayas) and widely cultivated in southern Brazil, mainly as an ornamental, having become sub-spontaneous. It is a deciduous tree, from 10-20 m tall, with brittle branches. Leaves simple, chartaceous, glabrous, shiny, 6-14 cm long. Inflorescences in axillary and terminal panicles, with small white flowers, form from October to December. The stems of the inflorescences tumify (swell) becoming succulent, brown in color, with a bitter-sweet flavor (pseudo-fruits), the true fruits are the small balls that develop on the extremities of the pseudo-fruits; they ripen in the autumn.

Uses - The pseudo-fruits are consumed in natura or made into jellies.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.