A decidious tree growing up to 9m tall. The tree flowers in late winter, typically late January or February in East Asia, before the leaves appear. Each flower has five petals and is 1–3 cm in diameter. The flowers are typically white, though cultivars may have rose or deep red flowers. The leaves appear shortly after the petals fall. The leaves are oval, with a pointed tip. The fruit ripens in early summer; each fruit is round with a groove running from the stalk to the tip. The skin is green when unripe, and turns yellow, sometimes with a red blush, as it ripens. The flesh becomes yellow.

Antibacterial, antipyretic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, cholagogue, cooling, pectoral, sialagogue and vermifuge (unripe fruit); antispasmodic, carminative and febrifuge (half ripe smoke fruits)

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Plants For A Future

The unripe fruits are used internally in the treatment of bronchitis, chronic coughs, chronic diarrhea and roundworms. They are also used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery, diabetes, abdominal colic and vomiting, to stop bleeding and to ease coughs. Externally, it is applied to fungal skin infections, corns and warts. In small amounts, it stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being.

Contraindicated in patients with Excess Heat, Exterior syndromes, and Stagnation in the Interior.

Jing-Nuan Wu. An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica. P: 526, Oxford University Press, Inc.2005.