Kingdom Plantae Family Rhamnaceae Higher classification Rhamnaceae | Order Rosales Scientific name Sageretia Rank Genus | |
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Similar Sageretia theezans, Serissa, Rhamnaceae, Chinese elm, Podocarpus macrophyllus | ||
Sageretia (mock buckthorn or sageretia) is a genus of about 35 species of shrubs and small trees in the family Rhamnaceae, native to southern and eastern Asia and northeast Africa. They have small green leaves 1.5–4 cm long, and a leathery multicoloured trunk. The flowers are small and inconspicuous; the fruit is a small edible drupe 1 cm diameter.
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The genus is named after the French botanist Auguste Sageret.
63 how to do sageretia theezans chinese sweet plum bonsai
Cultivation and uses
The leaves are sometimes used as a substitute for tea in China, and the fruit are edible, though not an important crop. S. theezans, from southern China, is a popular species in bonsai. S. paucicostata, from northern China, is the most cold-tolerant species and is occasionally grown in gardens in Europe and North America, though it is not generally considered very attractive as an ornamental plant. It is reputedly used as a way of cleaning minor cuts and lacerations, ensuring any germs left over will not infect the wound.