Hovenia

Trees [shrubs], unarmed; bud scales present. Leaves deciduous, alternate; blade not gland-dotted; pinnately veined, basal pair of secondary veins more prominent. Inflorescences terminal or axillary, compound dichasia (appearing repeatedly dichotomously branched); peduncles and pedicels becoming fleshy [not fleshy] in fruit. Pedicels present. Flowers bisexual; hypanthium hemispheric, 2–3 mm wide; sepals 5, spreading, white, ovate-triangular to triangular, keeled adaxially; petals 5, white or yellow-green, inrolled full length, elliptic to ovate, short-clawed; nectary fleshy, filling hypanthium; stamens 5; ovary 1/2-inferior, 3-locular; styles 2–3, connate basally. Fruits capsules, appearing drupaceous, tardily dehiscent, exocarp sloughing off from leathery mesocarp prior to dehiscence.

Distribution

Asia, introduced also in South America.

Discussion

Species 7 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

Koller, G. L. and J. H. Alexander. 1979. The raisin tree—its use, hardiness and size. Arnoldia (Jamaica Plain) 39: 6–15.

Lower Taxa

Hovenia dulcis