Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Oregon, USA

Common name: Japanese Raisin Tree

Family: Rhamnaceae

Distribution: China, Himalayas, Japan

Habitat: Mixed forest types

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Hardiness: Zone 6b -5 to 0 F

Life form: Deciduous tree

Usage: Ornamental shade tree

Comments: Japanese raisin-tree is a deciduous tree, native to Japan, growing to 35’, upright oval to rounded outline, long ascending main branches, few lateral branches. Leaves alternate, simple, broad-ovate to elliptic, 10-15 cm, tip acuminate, base sub-cordate or rounded and usually unequal, margin coarsely serrate, vein below with hair or without hairs; long petiole, 3-5 cm, pubescent; fall color green to yellow. Flowers inconspicuous, 6 mm diameter, greenish, in 5-7 cm wide clusters, stalk becomes swollen, red and edible, sweet flavored after frost. Fruit pea-sized, light gray-brown, 3-seeded, may not ripen in cultivation.
Grown best in sandy loam soils, but tolerant of poor quality soils. Full sun to part shade.