Status:
valid
Authors:
Lindl.
Source:
tro
Year:
1821
Citation Micro:
Bot. Reg. 6: t. 501 (1821)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001131352
Common Names
- Hovenia acerba
- Bitter Hovenia
- Acerba Hovenia
Description
Hovenia acerba (also called Bitter Raisin Tree, among many other common names) is a species of shrub in the Rhamnaceae family. It is native to the Himalayas, from Afghanistan to western China, and is found in alpine and subalpine habitats.
Uses & Benefits
Hovenia acerba is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. It is also used as a hedge or windbreak and can be used to stabilize soil in areas prone to erosion. The plant is also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments.
Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species
Hovenia acerba var. kiukiangensis (Hu & W.C.Cheng) C.Y.Wu ex Y.L.Chen
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flowers of Hovenia acerba are small, white, and star-shaped. The seeds are small, dark brown, and oval-shaped. The seedlings are slender and have small, oval-shaped leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Hovenia acerba is a deciduous shrub that can reach up to 5 m in height. It is easy to propagate from cuttings or by layering. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It can tolerate some drought but needs regular watering during the growing season.
Where to Find Hovenia acerba
Hovenia acerba is native to China, Japan, and Korea.
Species in the Hovenia genus
Species in the Rhamnaceae family
Adolphia californica,
Adolphia infesta,
Alphitonia pomaderroides,
Alphitonia carolinensis,
Alphitonia excelsa,
Alphitonia ferruginea,
Alphitonia franguloides,
Alphitonia incana,
Alphitonia macrocarpa,
Alphitonia marquesensis,
Alphitonia neocaledonica,
Alphitonia petriei,
Alphitonia philippinensis,
Alphitonia ponderosa,
Alphitonia whitei,
Alphitonia zizyphoides,
Alphitonia oblata,
Alvimiantha tricamerata,
Ampelozizyphus guaquirensis,
Ampelozizyphus amazonicus,
Ampelozizyphus kuripacorum,
Araracuara vetusta,
Auerodendron acuminatum,
Auerodendron acunae,
Auerodendron cubense,
Auerodendron glaucescens,
Auerodendron jamaicense,
Auerodendron martii,
Auerodendron northropianum,
Auerodendron pauciflorum,
Auerodendron reticulatum,
Auerodendron truncatum,
Bathiorhamnus capuronii,
Bathiorhamnus dentatus,
Bathiorhamnus macrocarpus,
Bathiorhamnus reticulatus,
Bathiorhamnus vohemarensis,
Bathiorhamnus cryptophorus,
Bathiorhamnus louvelii,
Berchemia annamensis,
Berchemia arisanensis,
Berchemia barbigera,
Berchemia brachycarpa,
Berchemia burmanniana,
Berchemia cinerascens,
Berchemia compressicarpa,
Berchemia discolor,
Berchemia edgeworthii,
Berchemia elmeri,
Berchemia flavescens,