Che, Silkworm thorn, Chinese Che, Chinese Mulberry, Cudrang, Mandarin Melon Berry, Tuo, Zheshu, Zhe tree
Plants can grow in quite poor soils. They are tolerant of drought. They can withstand temperatures down to -6°C. They need a warm sunny position. They can withstand wind. They do best with a well drained soil. In China they grow on sunny forest margins and mountain slopes between 500-2200 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.
Synonyms
- Cudrania tricuspidata (Carriere) Bureau ex Lavallee
- Cudrania triloba Hance
- Morus integrifolia H.Leveille & Vaniot
- Vanieria tricuspidata (Carriere) Hu
- Vanieria triloba (Hance) Satake
Edible Portion
- Fruit, Leaves
Where does Che grow?
Found in: Asia, Australia, China, Europe, Himalayas, Japan, Korea, Nepal, North America, United States
Notes: The leaves are used for silk worm.
Status: It is cultivated in Japan.
Growing Che, Silkworm thorn, Chinese Che, Chinese Mulberry, Cudrang, Mandarin Melon Berry, Tuo, Zheshu, Zhe tree
Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed but these may take 10 years to bear. Seed should be sown fresh from the fruit. Plants can also b grown from softwood cuttings and rooting hormone used. Plants can also be grafted. A male and female plant can be planted together and pruned as one bush with 25% male and 75% female branches. Pruning is done regularly. The previous years growth is pruned to half its length.
Edible Uses: The fruit are eaten fresh or cooked. They are used for juice after the seeds are strained out.
Production: Up to 150 kg of fruit per tree is possible. Fruit are not easily picked off the tree. Fruit should be fully ripe for best flavour. This means they are dark red to black.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
References
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 849
Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 242 (As Cudrania tricuspidata)
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 154 (As Cudrania tricuspidata)
Flora of China. Vol. 5 p 36 and Flora of China. www.eFloras.org
Hu, Shiu-ying, 2005, Food Plants of China. The Chinese University Press. p 355 (As Cudrania tricuspidata)
Kiple, K.F. & Ornelas, K.C., (eds), 2000, The Cambridge World History of Food. CUP p 1750 (As Cudrania tricuspidata)
Lyle, S., 2006, Discovering fruit and nuts. Land Links. p 169 (As Cudrania tricuspidata)
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/ (As Cudrania tricuspidata)
Rev. Hort. 35:390, fig. 37. 1864
Valder, P., 1999, The Garden Plants of China. Florilegium. p 304