Japanese raisin tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese raisintree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hovenia dulcis var. koreana
• Hovenia dulcis f. deviata
• Hovenia dulcis var. latifolia
• Hovenia dulcis var. glabra
• Hovenia dulcis var. dulcis
• Hovenia dulcis f. latifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

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 into the family Rhamnaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Hovenia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hovenia dulcis is characterized by its presence within the Floresta Estacional Semidecidual habitat, where it thrives in specific environmental conditions. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 500 m AMSL. Its distribution within these seasonal semi-deciduous forests suggests an adaptation to ecosystems defined by seasonal variations in leaf cover and moisture availability, maintaining its ecological niche within this specific low-to-mid elevation range.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Life history

The life history of Hovenia dulcis is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived species, it undergoes a continuous cycle of vegetative growth and reproductive phases, rather than completing its life cycle within a single year or two. This perennial nature enables the plant to establish a robust presence in its native habitat, developing extensive physiological structures that support sustained biological activity and repeated flowering or fruiting cycles throughout its extended lifespan.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hovenia dulcis is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a tree. It functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite, and while its habitat can encompass aquatic, semiaquatic, or terrestrial environments, it is primarily classified as terrestrial in its ecological niche. Although some species in similar lineages may exhibit climbing behaviors, this plant is characterized by a self-supporting structure, behaving as a self-supporting liana or vine rather than an obligatory climber. As a terrestrial plant, it does not function as an epiphyte (such as a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte) but maintains a grounded presence. In terms of physical dimensions, the plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 10 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hovenia dulcis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in its natural habitat. The plant's vegetative architecture includes leaves that vary significantly in dimensions, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 12 cm, while the leaf width spans between 3 cm and 8 cm. Structural integrity and biomass composition are further defined by its stem specific density (SSD), which maintains a mean value of 625 mg/cm³, reflecting the internal cellular density and support mechanisms of its vascular tissues.

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

625 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hovenia dulcis is characterized by a diverse dispersal strategy and specific seed morphology. The plant utilizes multiple dispersal syndromes, primarily functioning as zoochorous, though it also exhibits anemochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, and unspecialized dispersal methods. The reproductive output is contained within fleshy fruits, which facilitate the distribution of its seeds. These seeds vary in size and weight, with a recorded seed volume ranging from a minimum of 25 mm³ to a maximum of 150 mm³, resulting in a mean seed volume of 75.25 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds are relatively lightweight, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.01481 g to a maximum of 0.0278 g, maintaining an average seed mass of approximately 0.023945 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass max:

0.0278 g

Seed mass mean:

0.023945 g

Seed mass min:

0.01481 g

Seed volume max:

150 mm³

Seed volume mean:

75.25 mm³

Seed volume min:

25 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Hovenia dulcis has 22 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-3,3',5',5,7-Pentahydroflavanone, (+)-Afzelechin, (+)-Dihydromyricetin, (+)-aromadendrin, (-)-Catechin.

(+)-3,3',5',5,7-Pentahydroflavanone

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

(+)-Afzelechin

1. Archives of pharmacal research

(+)-Dihydromyricetin

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

(+)-aromadendrin

1. Archives of pharmacal research

(-)-Catechin

1. Archives of pharmacal research

2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

3,5-Dihydroxystilbene

1. Archives of pharmacal research

6-Benzyladenine

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Genistin

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Hovenidulcigenin A

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Activities

Hovenia dulcis has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antigenotoxic, Antioxidant, Hypoglycemic.

Antigenotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypoglycemic

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Medicinal Uses

Hovenia dulcis has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include alcoholic liver disease, blood sugar, drunkenness, dyslipidemia, hepatic glycogen.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations