About Hovenia acerba Lindl.
Hovenia acerba Lindl. is a flowering plant species belonging to the raisin tree genus Hovenia in the family Rhamnaceae. It is native to temperate regions of Nepal, the eastern Himalayas, Assam, Myanmar, northern Thailand, Tibet, and central and southern China. This tree can grow up to 25 m (82 ft) tall, and is found at elevations as high as 2,100 m (6,900 ft), growing in wooded areas, open areas, forest edges, and slopes. It is frequently cultivated in local areas. Like Hovenia dulcis, Hovenia acerba provides fine hard timber. Its sweet fruit rachis is edible and used to make fruit wine, and its seeds are used in traditional medicine. Hovenia acerba can be distinguished from H. dulcis by mature fruit color: Hovenia acerba fruits are yellow or brownish when mature, while H. dulcis fruits are black. It is widely planted as a street tree in southern Chinese cities.
