What is Hovenia dulcis?
{{italictitle}} {{taxobox |image = Hovenia dulcis.jpg |regnum = [[Plant]]ae |unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperms]] |unranked_classis = [[Eudicots]] |unranked_ordo = [[Rosids]] |ordo = [[Rosales]] |familia = [[Rhamnaceae]] |genus = ''[[Hovenia]]'' |genus_authority = Thunb. |species = '''''H. dulcis''''' |binomial = ''Hovenia dulcis'' |binomial_authority = [[Thunb.]] |}} '''''Hovenia dulcis''''' is also called the '''oriental raisin tree'''. It is a plant that lives in [[Japan]], [[Korea]], Eastern [[China]] and the [[Himalayas]]. == Life cycle == The oriental raisin tree grows about 10 [[metre|meters]] tall. Its [[bark]] of the tree is dark [[gray]]. Its flowers are white, and they open between June and July. The tree grows [[fruit]] in September and October. The fruits are brown, and they are shaped like a [[chicken]]'s claw. Its seeds fall off from February to March. Its [[germination]] rate, which is the number of seeds that begin to spore or grow, is about 2 &ndash; 15%. Most trees begin to grow their own fruit when they are two years old. == Living conditions == The oriental raisin tree can grow with shade or light. Cold does not hurt the tree, but [[drought|too much time without rain]] does hurt it. Unlike many other plants, the oriental raisin tree can grow even if the soil has lots of salt in it, so often lives near the sea. [[Pollution]] does not hurt the oriental raisin tree either, so it can live in [[cities]] and other [[industrial]] areas. == Uses and effects == The wood of the oriental raisin tree can be used to make buildings, musical instruments, ships, and furniture. Because the [[Plant stem|stem]] tastes sweet, people like to eat it and make drinks from it. This stem is also used for [[medicine]]. [[Category:Rhamnaceae]] {{biology-stub}}