Hovenia acerba Seeds | Japanese Raisin Tree

Japanese Raisin Tree seeds (Hovenia acerba)

LATIN NAME: Hovenia acerba

COMMON NAME: Japanese Raisin Tree

Plant Profile

Japanese Raisin Tree (Hovenia acerba) is a tree in the buckthorn family. The Japanese raisin tree is sweet branch of warm hill, and swollen, fleshy stalks of fruit clusters taste like the raisins. Tree is a fine, curious presence of warm garden and study collection. It is a tree of open, sunny, deep, well-drained ground. Gardeners value it precisely for this blend of qualities.

Science & Biotechnology

The species features in the wider study of the buckthorn family, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. The practical point for growers is that this plant has been observed in gardens for so long that its behaviour holds few surprises.

Uses & Benefits

Gardeners value Japanese Raisin Tree for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. The Japanese raisin tree is a fine, curious tree of warm garden and study collection. Swollen, fleshy stalks of fruit clusters sweeten into fine, raisin-like treats of warm table, and tree has a long record in old practice of the East as hangover herb and liver tonic of the wayside. Choose a spot with room for spreading crown, for tree grows into a fine, broad shape with the years. It takes hold quickly and asks for no special treatment from then on.

The Japanese raisin tree’s sweet, fig-like fruit stalks are eaten fresh and are a famous East Asian hangover remedy; its dihydromyricetin, DHM, is among the most studied natural compounds for alcohol metabolism and liver support.

Growing from Seed

Raising Japanese Raisin Tree from seed is straightforward. Level a tray of loose seed compost, sow evenly, cover to about the seed’s own depth, and keep it moist in full light. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.

Our Take

Japanese Raisin Tree settles in quickly once it finds its footing. Even moisture while the seed is chitting is the main thing; afterwards it largely looks after itself.

Tree Seeds