Common Names: Chinese Date

This small shrub or tree, deciduous and usually quite spiny, is native to Asia but was introduced to China. It thrives in hot dry regions, in strongly alkaline soils and is cold tolerant to -30°F. The small flowers produce a 1 1/4" long fleshy fruit that varies from oblong to egg-shaped to almost round. It can be eaten fresh, tastes somewhat like small dry apple, or air dried, tastes like date. Most commonly, it is preserved, dried, sweet-pickled, stewed and used in confections. Propagated by grafting, root cutting or seed for rootstock.

MORE INFO