Heteromeles Tree-leaved

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Video: Heteromeles Tree-leaved

Video: Heteromeles Tree-leaved
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Heteromeles Tree-leaved
Heteromeles Tree-leaved
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Heteromeles tree-leaved (Latin Heteromeles arbutifolia) - an evergreen perennial from the Pink family. Its second name is toyon. And sometimes this culture is also called the Christmas berry.

Description

Heteromeles tree-leaved is an evergreen perennial shrub, the height of which ranges from two to five meters, however, under especially favorable conditions, such bushes can stretch up to ten meters up. All shrubs are covered with strong reddish-grayish bark.

The width of the jagged leaves of this plant is from two to four centimeters, and the length is from five to ten centimeters. And they are attached to the shoots with the help of short petioles.

Heteromeles tree-leaved blooms with five-petal white flowers, the diameter of which can vary from six to ten millimeters. These flowers are pollinated by butterflies, and their sweetish aroma is somewhat reminiscent of the aroma of hawthorn flowers. As for the flowering time, it usually falls in June-July.

The fruits of heteromeles druvoli are bright red drupe apples reaching a diameter of five to ten millimeters (about the same as that of hawthorn). They usually grow in rather solid bunches, and their ripening occurs in September and October. These berries are very fond of not only birds, but also some representatives of the animal world - coyotes, bears, etc. At the same time, these fruits do not cause any harm to animals and birds. And the seeds of heteromeles woody can boast of resistance to digestive juices - this feature allows birds and animals to distribute them along with their own excrement.

Where grows

The natural habitat of Heteromeloe woody is Northwestern Mexico and Southwestern California. However, recently it has been gradually spreading beyond these territories.

Application

The berries of the Heteromeles arborea are sometimes eaten fresh, even though they have an astringent and rather sour taste. In addition, these fruits contain a certain amount of cyanogenic glycosides that can provoke serious poisoning of the body (in the digestive tract they are gradually converted into hydrocyanic acid), so they should be used with extreme caution. The best way to avoid poisoning is to heat the fruit: even minor cooking does an excellent job with this problem. These berries also make delicious soft drinks, jellies and wines. By the way, sometimes they are added to custard - in this case, they play the role of a very piquant seasoning.

The fruits of this culture boast a rich content of all kinds of mineral elements and vitamins. They are especially rich in tannins, vitamin C and beta-carotene.

A decoction of the leaves of the Heteromeles tree is an excellent antispasmodic and is often used for pain in the abdomen - this property of the leaves was noticed by ancient tribes. And the graceful openwork crowns of these shrubs allow them to be used in landscape gardening and forestry, as well as in the subtropics in soil and forestry cultivation (especially often in California).

Contraindications

It is categorically not recommended to use fresh fruits of heteromeles woody - hardly anyone will be pleased with the prospect of poisoning with cyanogenic glycosides. You can eat these berries only after proper heat treatment.

You should not use woody heteromeles and with individual intolerance, as well as in case of exacerbation of any gastrointestinal diseases.

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