Hovenia (Rhamnaceae) BSWJ11024

dulcis

A most unusual small tree with handsome glossy ovate leaves to 15cm long on lenticellate dark brown to black branches. Bearing cymes of pale flowers in June terminally and in the upper leaf axils, resulting in an unusual fleshy ‘fruit’ similar in shape to a stag-horn, which are edible (no we did not try them) when ripe. One of our collections gathered in 2005 from Fukui central Japan. Easily grown in a drained fertile soil in sun or light shade.