Rose family, Rosaceae
Origin: Japan
Habitat in the original area: hillsides and river banks; but it has been intentionally grown and cultivated since ancient times
Habitus: A shrub growing to the height of 1 metre; its branches are tomentose when young.
Leaf: Broadly ovate up to 5 centimetres long leaves are blunt or pointed at the top, and serrated along the edges. Their stipules are noticeably enlarged and grow in pairs.
Bloom, fruit: It booms from April to May. Orange-red blossoms grow in clusters (from one to four). The fruit is a 5 cm long and fragrant achene. When immature, it is green and white-speckled; it turns yellow when ripening.
Interesting fact: Cultivars with differently coloured (yellow, pinkish) blossoms have been cultivated. The fruits are edible, but only after heat treatment (raw ones are very hard and sour). Jams, liqueurs or sauces are made from them.
