Hovenia dulcis
Japanese raisin tree
Hovenia dulcis, commonly known as the sweet hovea, is a climbing woody vine native to the tropical forests of South America. Renowned for its succulent, nectar-rich fruits, this medicinal plant has long been utilized in traditional folk medicine to treat various ailments, offering unique pharmacological potential for modern research.
- Scientific name: Hovenia dulcis
- Family: Rhamnaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
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 into the family Rhamnaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Hovenia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Rosales | WCVP |
| Family | Rhamnaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Hovenia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Hovenia dulcis, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Portuguese, it is called Cajueiro-japonês, while in Polish, it is known as howenia słodka. It is also identified as Акамфеҭҵла in Abkhaz, Raisinier de Chine in French, and конфетное дерево in Russian.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pt | Cajueiro-japonês | Wikidata |
| pl | howenia słodka | Wikidata |
| ab | Акамфеҭҵла | Wikidata |
| fr | Raisinier de Chine | Wikidata |
| ru | конфетное дерево | Wikidata |
| sr-el | Hovenija | Wikidata |
| sr-ec | Ховенија | Wikidata |
| ca | arbre de les panses | Wikidata |
| de | Japanischer Rosinenbaum | Wikidata |
| ja | ケンポナシ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across several regions within East Asia. In China, its presence is noted throughout the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. Moving further east, the species can also be found growing in Japan. Additionally, its geographical range extends to include the Korean peninsula. Together, these locations define the specific natural habitat of Hovenia dulcis.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | West Himalaya | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Hovenia dulcis, is characterized by its unique structural growth where the medicinal properties are often associated with its woody components. The development of the plant involves sturdy branches that extend from the main stem to support its foliage and reproductive structures. Each individual branch contributes to the overall architecture of the specimen, providing the necessary framework for the plant to thrive in its natural habitat.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| branches | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| branch | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Hovenia dulcis has 22 reported phytochemicals identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-3,3',5',5,7-pentahydroflavanone, (+)-afzelechin, (+)-aromadendrin, (+)-dihydromyricetin, (-)-catechin.
- Total chemicals
- 22
- Scientific sources
- 22
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| (+)-3,3',5',5,7-pentahydroflavanone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-afzelechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-aromadendrin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-dihydromyricetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-catechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3,5-dihydroxystilbene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6-benzyladenine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Polysaccharide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dihydrokaempferol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Hovenia dulcis has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antigenotoxic, Antioxidant, Hypoglycemic.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antigenotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Hovenia dulcis has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include alcoholic liver disease, blood sugar, drunkenness, dyslipidemia, hepatic glycogen.
- Total uses
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| alcoholic liver disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| blood sugar | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| drunkenness | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dyslipidemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatic glycogen | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| type 1 diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |