Chinese raisin tree

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hovenia parviflora
• Ziziphus esquirolii
• Hovenia dulcis var. acerba

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Rosales, it is further categorized under the family Rhamnaceae. Its specific taxonomic designation falls within the genus Hovenia, with the species being Hovenia acerba.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide distribution across various regions within China. It can be found growing in the diverse landscapes of China South-Central. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit the areas of China North-Central. Its presence also extends into the territories of China Southeast. Together, these locations highlight the broad geographical range of Hovenia acerba.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hovenia acerba is defined by its ability to inhabit a broad altitudinal gradient, allowing it to occupy diverse montane environments. This species exhibits a significant vertical distribution, ranging from low-lying areas at an elevation of 200 m AMSL to high-altitude habitats reaching a maximum of 2100 m AMSL. Throughout its natural range, the plant maintains an average elevation of approximately 1662.5 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-to-high elevation montane ecosystems where specific moisture and temperature regimes are maintained.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1662.5 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Hovenia acerba is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a deciduous species, it undergoes periodic shedding of its foliage, typically synchronized with seasonal changes or environmental stressors to conserve resources. This combination of a long-lived perennial nature and a deciduous habit enables the plant to navigate its specific ecological niche by entering periods of dormancy before regenerating its vegetative structures.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hovenia acerba is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, exhibiting a self-supporting growth habit rather than acting as a liana or vine. This species typically grows in terrestrial environments, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of vertical development, the plant reaches significant dimensions, with a height ranging from a minimum of 10 meters to a maximum of 25 meters, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 17.5 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

25 m

Plant height mean:

17.5 m

Plant height min:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hovenia acerba is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. The vegetative architecture is defined by its leaf morphology, where the leaves exhibit an ovate form with distinct tooth-edged margins. These leaves vary in size, with a minimum length of 8 cm and a maximum length reaching up to 17 cm, resulting in a mean length of 12.5 cm. The width of the foliage is similarly variable, ranging from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 12 cm. Structurally, the leaf surfaces are smooth in terms of defensive appendages, as the plant possesses neither leaf thorns nor leaf spines.

Leaf form :

ovate

Leaf length max:

17 cm

Leaf length mean:

12.5 cm

Leaf length min:

8 cm

Leaf margin :

toothed

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

12 cm

Leaf width min:

6 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hovenia acerba is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its floral and seed structures. The plant produces relatively small flowers, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.65 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant generates seeds that exhibit a highly uniform mass; the seed mass remains constant across its developmental range, with a mean, minimum, and maximum value all recorded at 0.0167 g. This consistency in seed weight suggests a stabilized reproductive strategy regarding the energy investment per individual offspring.

Flower length max:

0.65 cm

Flower length min:

0.5 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.0167 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hovenia acerba has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, seed.

Fruit

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Seed

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Hovenia acerba has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Dihydromyricetin.

Dihydromyricetin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Conditions

Hovenia acerba has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hyperuricemia.

Hyperuricemia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Hovenia acerba has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include fruit of Hovenia acerba, water extract.

Fruit of hovenia acerba

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Water extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology